nagaland-forms-sit-to-probe-harassment-case-on-ias-officer

The Nagaland Police have registered an FIR and constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of sexual and mental harassment against an IAS officer accused by multiple women employees of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).

 

In a statement issued on Saturday, the police headquarters said the move followed a written complaint filed on 17 March by the Nagaland State Women Commission (NSCW) chairperson, Nginyeih Konyak. The complaint was based on verbal information relayed on 27 February by Abu Metha, Chairman of IDAN and Advisor to the Chief Minister.

 

The NSCW subsequently recorded statements from several women working at IDAN on 5 March, wherein they alleged that the officer, who serves as a Joint Secretary, had asked for physical indulgence in exchange for salary hikes and employment opportunities.

 

The IAS officer has denied all allegations.

 

According to the police statement, a formal letter along with the victims’ complaints—addressed to Metha—had been submitted by the IDAN Chairman to the NSCW on 3 March. These documents were forwarded to police headquarters, prompting a preliminary enquiry.

 

On 25 March, a woman Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was assigned to carry out the initial probe. Her report, submitted on 1 April, found prima facie evidence supporting the allegations and recommended a full-fledged criminal investigation.

 

An FIR was formally registered on 2 April. Three days later, on 5 April, the police formed a Special Investigation Team, led by a senior IPS officer, to examine all aspects of the case.

 

“The SIT is probing the matter and examining all dimensions of the case,” said the police headquarters in its statement.

 

This is not the first time the officer has faced such allegations. In 2021, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, he was booked for allegedly molesting two underage domestic workers at his official residence.

 

A charge sheet in that case was filed on 2 December 2021. The Special POCSO Court in Tuensang subsequently took cognisance of the matter.