A disturbing report of alleged sexual harassment by a Kolkata police station’s Officer-in-Charge against a woman civic volunteer has prompted the National Commission for Women (NCW) to intervene decisively. Acting on its own initiative after a news report published on March 2, the NCW has condemned the incident and ordered West Bengal DGP Piyush Pandey to file an Action Taken Report within five days.
The complaint details harassment by the senior officer overseeing the volunteer’s work in the South Suburban Division. Filed in writing over the weekend, it prompted immediate departmental proceedings under workplace harassment protocols. The accused has been swiftly transferred, though an FIR remains pending as preliminary inquiries continue.
In a strongly worded post on X, NCW emphasized the breach of constitutional rights and the POSH Act, 2013. Chairperson Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar instructed comprehensive measures: FIR registration, impartial investigation, evidence preservation, departmental penalties, and protection for the complainant from retaliation.
‘Such misconduct by a senior police officer severely undermines public confidence in law enforcement agencies,’ the commission noted, calling for enhanced preventive safeguards within police ranks.
Civic volunteers play a crucial role in community policing, often in vulnerable positions. This episode highlights systemic risks where authority figures exploit their positions. The police headquarters has promised further updates post-initial probe, but pressure mounts for accountability. As India grapples with workplace safety, this high-profile case could set precedents for handling similar complaints in uniformed services, ensuring no one is above the law.