Madras HC Asks Govt. To Suspend Accused In IPS Officer Sexual Harassment Case

IPS Officer Sexual Harassment Case: The Madras High Court asked the Tamil Nadu State Government to suspend the accused Special DGP, who has been charged with sexual harassment of an IPS cadre woman officer.

On Tuesday, the Court took suo moto cognizance of alleged sexual harassment of an IPS officer by her senior. 

The Bench of Justice N. Anand Venkatesh noted from the Status report, till date, that the second accused (then Chengalpattu SP) has been placed by the government under suspension. However, the main accused Ex-Special DGP has been kept under compulsory wait and not been suspended. 

Referring to the current state, the Court said, "Placing an officer under compulsory wait does not attach any stigma to it…The concerned government servant will be entitled to all the service benefits including allowances during this period of compulsory wait. It is, therefore, clear that keeping an officer under compulsory wait can never be construed as a punishment."

Since the accused holds the rank of Special DGP, the Court stated that the investigation is being conducted by an officer who is in the rank of Superintendent of Police.

Reportedly, the Madras Court made an observation when an officer of that stature is kept on a mere compulsory wait, is interrogated by a subordinate officer “the same will psychologically intimidate the officer from carrying on with the interrogation in a free and fair manner”.

IPS Officer sexual harassment case 

In her sexual harassment complaint, the woman SP accused the DGP of behaving “inappropriately” inside his official car while they were returning after discharging their duties from Karur town, on February 21. On the day of the incident, the victim was on security duty for the Chief Minister’s tour. Later, she sent written complaints to the Tamil Nadu DGP J.K. Tripathy, who immediately ordered a CB-CID police investigation, and the Home Secretary, who assured of “appropriate action”. 

The IPS officer complained that the accused allegedly “kissed the back of her hand”. When she left for Chennai to file a complaint, the Chengalpattu S.P. allegedly tried to prevent her from proceeding to Chennai, as she mentioned in her complaint. 

Reportedly, she was forced to speak to the former Special DGP on a phone call. “I will fall at your feet and apologise....”, the accused pleaded to the IPS woman officer. 

Another FIR was filed against D. Kannan, S.P., Chengalpattu district, who allegedly used “police force” to prevent the victim from proceeding to Chennai to prefer the harassment complaint against the Special DGP.

A six-member Vishaka committee was set up by the Tamil Nadu government led by Additional Chief Secretary Jayashree Raghunandan to inquire into the S.P.’s complaint. The committee would recommend further course of action as per the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.