‘Viral sexual harassment letter’ | 19 Haryana woman cops who are complainants’ namesakes ‘deny role’ in it

A purported letter allegedly signed by seven female cops had surfaced on the social media on Friday. In the letter addressed to Haryana chief minister, serious 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 asked a woman IPS officer, Astha Modi, who is currently SP Fatehabad, to conduct a probe and submit a report to the department.

As part of the probe, a police officer said, all the namesakes of those woman police personnel whose names were mentioned as complainant in the viral letter were asked to record their statements. “They have denied making any such complaint. They also did not raise any grievance against the IPS officer,” added the officer.

The officer also said: “In the purported letter, there is a reference of a widow constable who allegedly faced harassment. We haven’t found any female constable with her namesake in the police department in the entire district concerned. In the letter, there is a reference to a female constable whose annual confidential report (ACR) had negative remarks made by the IPS officer concerned. However, during the inquiry, she claimed that she did not make any such complaint. The negative remarks in her ACR were the subsequent outcome of a punishment given by an ADGP rank police officer.”

The officer added: “The probe into the matter is still on to ascertain who had originally written the letter.”

Another police officer said: “Right now, it’s very difficult to say whether the allegations are true or false. More female officials posted in the district concerned will be examined during the ongoing probe. They may be from different ranks in the police department like from constables to ASIs (assistant sub inspectors). They will also be counselled. The inquiry will take more time.”

Congress legislator from Julana, Vinesh Phogat, took to X to demand punishment for the guilty in the matter. Referring to the wrestler agitation of 2023, Phogat posted on X: “…In the way every section of the society supported us, we are too with them (alleged victims). The guilty should be punished.”

Hisar police range ADGP Matta Ravi Kiran told The Indian Express that the IPS officer against whom the allegations have been levelled in the letter himself requested for a probe into the matter.

“A fact-finding inquiry is under process and I can’t comment further on it,” added the ADGP.

On the other hand, the IPS officer who has been accused of sexual harassment also told The Indian Express that he had himself requested the Director General of Police on Friday to get a probe conducted by a senior female IPS officer.

Meanwhile, HSCW chairperson Renu Bhatia on Sunday asked the state DGP to submit an action taken report to the commission within 24 hours. Renu Bhatia told The Indian Express: “We have also summoned the IPS officer and the complainant women in the case to our office in Faridabad on October 29. The inquiry officer has also been asked to appear before the commission on the same day. The allegations are of a serious nature, so a detailed inquiry should be conducted into the matter.”