Sexual harassment claim against IPS officer: SIT headed by ADGP-rank woman officer begins probe

A special investigation team (SIT) headed by an ADGP-rank woman IPS officer on Monday began the probe into a viral sexual harassment letter against an IPS officer of Haryana. The newly formed SIT will be headed by ADGP (state crime branch) Mamta Singh while female IPS officers — Astha Modi and Sangeeta Kalia — are members of the probe team. Mamta Singh also visited Jind as part of the investigation on Monday, a senior government officer said.

Astha Modi, who is SP Fatehabad, has been probing the matter since the letter went viral on the social media. However, there was a growing impression in the government that the matter should be taken more seriously. With these inputs, sources said, the government decided to form the SIT. Astha Modi will also continue to be part of the probe team. The government also had an input that two female officers — who were named as “facilitators” of the IPS officer in the sexual harassment letter—may influence the ongoing probe. Following these inputs, the government transferred both female officers out of the district concerned. The IPS officer, who faced the allegations has been shifted from the district.

A purported letter allegedly signed by seven female cops had surfaced on social media recently. In the letter addressed to Haryana CM, allegations of sexual harassment were levelled against the IPS officer while terming two female police officials as “facilitator” of the IPS officer. Taking it seriously, the state police had initially asked woman IPS officer, Astha Modi to conduct a probe and submit a report to the department. As part of the investigation, the woman IPS officer has been recording statements of the female police officials. The statements of all 142 female police personnel from the district concerned would be recorded as part of the probe, said an official.