‘Act against those who tried to prevent woman officer from filing complaint’

A day after Special DGP Rajesh Das was placed on obligatory wait following a criticism of sexual harassment from a woman IPS officer, a gaggle of IPS officers stated on Thursday that Chengalpattu Superintendent of Police D. Kannan had prevented and criminally intimidated her whereas she was going to the headquarters.

On Wednesday, the federal government additionally constituted a committee below IAS officer Jayashree Raghunandan to probe the allegation.

‘Vehicle intercepted’

One of the IPS officers stated, “When the victim wanted to complain to the head of the police force and the Home Secretary, a District Superintendent of Police, at the direction of Mr. Rajesh Das, his superior officer, intercepted her vehicle and stopped it, with the striking force in tow, and forced her to talk to her abuser. Is this the way a DSP acts? He can do or would have done many things in favour of the accused. What action will be taken against this person?”

Sources stated the woman officer, of the rank of SP, was continuing to Chennai to lodge a criticism with the Home Secretary against Mr. Rajesh Das.

At a toll plaza, Mr. Kannan intercepted her official car together with his putting power. Further, the sources stated, he directed putting power personnel to take away the keys of her automobile.

He then advised the woman officer that she mustn’t file a criticism against Mr. Rajesh Das. When she refused, Mr. Kannan insisted that she speak to Mr. Rajesh Das on the telephone earlier than continuing additional.

At that time, in accordance to police sources, she warned Mr. Kannan that she would report this incident, too, as he tried to threaten her on behalf of Mr. Rajesh Das. Then, he handed over the car key and withdrew.

Mr. Rajesh Das had additionally reportedly requested the Superintendents of Police of Kallakurichi and Villupuram districts to cease her whereas she was continuing to Chennai. But the sources clarified that each officers refused to obey this instruction.

The IPS officers stated the committee, which was shaped to go into the criticism, also needs to probe the position of Mr. Kannan. “If we are going to be silent about such atrocious behaviour of men in khaki, every one will suffer. Service and institutions don’t end with our career or in our lifetime. Our future generations should have a safe, secure and protected environment,” one other officer stated.

Another officer added, “The victim has displayed dignity and exemplary courage, and the more we get to know about the horror she endured the more disgusted we are. Everyone who aided and abetted this must be exposed and punished.”

The IPS officers additionally appealed to the Tamil Nadu IPS Officers Association to suggest the suspension of Mr. Kannan.

In a press release, the affiliation stated it “stands in solidarity against any harassment at workplace. We request the inquiry committee to do justice by a free, fair and expeditious inquiry with sensitivity involved.”

DSP denies cost

Responding to the allegation, Mr. Kannan advised The Puucho that the district police had certainly stopped the car of the woman officer at a toll plaza. “You should also ask her what had happened. In what way am I connected with her? My boss called me up and said she was on the way and issued instructions to stop her vehicle and hand my phone over to her. I did as I was asked to and merely told her that sir [Mr. Rajesh Das] wanted to speak to her. She sat in the car and talked to him on the phone. How do I know that there was bad blood between them?”

He additionally denied that he had eliminated the important thing from her car. “What was the necessity for me to remove the key? She is an SP-level officer. Ask her if I came near her or talked to her beyond what I told you. I was not aware of the real issue between them. My only mistake was that I obeyed the orders of my officer.”