This story is from December 7, 2016

DCW orders FIR against cop in harassment case

The Delhi Commission for Women on Tuesday asked Delhi Police to file an FIR against an officer for alleged harassment of 24 policewomen.
DCW orders FIR against cop in harassment case
Representative image
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Commission for Women on Tuesday asked Delhi Police to file an FIR against an officer for alleged harassment of 24 policewomen. In a notice issued to police commissioner Alok Verma, DCW stated that disciplinary action should be taken against the officer, if found guilty, even as it expressed dissatisfaction over the reply to its summons.
DCW sought the reconstitution of an internal complaints committee at the level of PHQ, which, it said, should order a fresh inquiry into the case.
The commission demanded an action-taken report within two weeks.
The case relates to a complaint lodged by 24 policewomen against an inspector.
The commission said that, from Delhi Police’s reply, it had ascertained that “the internal complaints committees in Delhi Police have not been constituted in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013, as they do not consist of a minimum of four members and an external member, which are mandatory requirements as per as Section 4(2) of the Act”.
The notice further stated that the law had mandated the presence of an external member in the committee to promote transparency and fairness in their functioning. “Needless to say, the proper implementation of the Act is a pre-requisite for ensuring safe and secure workplaces for women,” it said.
DCW added that the absence of external members in committees in Delhi Police, which is tasked with ensuring the safety of women and girls, was “highly improper” and needed to be immediately rectified.

The commission said that “the response of the establishment on the complaint is not satisfactory for no FIR has been registered against the accused till date". It added that one of the complainants had informed the commission that the accused was not shifted out of the unit despite orders. "Also, the complainant has stated that she, along with other female staff who had complained against the accused, have instead been transferred out of the unit," it said.
DCW asked the police commissioner to revoke the transfer orders of the complainants.
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