After a 10-day leave, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mangalore South, T.R. Jagannath — facing charges of sexual harassment — has reported back to his division on Wednesday, despite District In-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai telling reporters on June 1 that he was transferred out pending inquiry. Mr. Jagannath is accused of sexually and mentally harassing a junior woman officer.
Transfer
Mr. Rai had said in Puttur that Home Minister K.J. George ordered the transfer of Mr. Jagannath following a complaint by a woman Assistant Sub-Inspector.
However, Police Commissioner Manish Kharbikar said that he had not received any such order. Mr. Jagannath proceeded on leave after the woman ASI filed a complaint on May 23.
The woman ASI, who had filed the complaint after she was reportedly denied leave by the ACP, is posted at the South division and leaves in the division are approved by Mr. Jagannath.
Criticised
Vidya Dinker, Convenor of Forum Against Atrocities on Women, has condemned the action of the Home Ministry in sending back Mr. Jagannath to the division.
“How can we expect a fair inquiry on the complaint made by the ASI? How can the ASI work under the officer against whom she has filed a complaint? This is not a right atmosphere,” said Ms. Dinker and added that the government should keep Mr. Jagannath under suspension till the inquiry was completed.
Adjourned
A nine-member committee headed by ACP Kavita B.T. — formed to inquire into the complaint — adjourned the hearing to June 13 after the ASI failed to appear before the panel on Wednesday.
