Deputy Secretary ‘forcibly’ retired

Chandigarh, July 29

Taking action on a complaint of sexual harassment, the Punjab Government forcibly retired Deputy Secretary Krishan Kumar Singla.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson said the officer was posted in the Civil Secretariat as Deputy Secretary (on probation). As per government instructions, his tenure was extended from September 1, 2019, after he attained 58 years of age.

A complaint of sexual harassment was lodged against the officer by a senior woman assistant who was posted with him.

Earlier, the secretariat administration had referred the matter to the internal complaint committee against sexual harassment of women for investigation. The spokesperson said the committee submitted a report on March 3, in which the allegations made by the woman senior assistant were substantiated.

Taking a serious note of the report, the Chief Minister directed that the officer should be forcibly retired from his post with immediate effect. The administration today issued orders of forcible retirement. — TNS