Either transfer Jind SP or send him on leave: Panel to govt

The Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW) chairperson has recommended to the state government to either send Jind Superintendent of Police (SP) Sumit Kumar, who is an IPS officer, on leave or transfer him over allegations of sexual harassment.

Notably, a four-page letter had gone viral on the social media three days ago. It contained allegations of sexual exploitation by the Jind SP and also mentioned that a racket, including senior police officers, was involved in extorting money from rich people by implicating them in false rape cases. Later, the police assigned a probe to Fatehabad SP Astha Modi on the basis of the letter.

Taking cognisance of the allegations, HSCW chairperson Renu Bhatia today wrote to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini following a hearing in which the SP appeared before the commission. Inquiry officer Modi also appeared via video-conferencing before the panel.

Talking to The Tribune, the HSCW chairperson said there was a need for a serious probe into the case. “I have called women cops for a personal hearing on December 7,” she said.

“After considering the facts, the commission has requested the Chief Minister to either transfer the Jind SP to headquarters or send him on leave until the inquiry is completed,” she said, adding that this was important for conduct of a fair inquiry.

Bhatia said, “As of now, we are satisfied with the inquiry committee. The panel has met 19 women cops from Jind district. There are 140 women cops in the district and we want all of them should be involved in the inquiry for a fair probe.”

Appearing before the commission, the Jind SP denied all allegations, claiming these were false. The SP said 19 women cops who appeared before the Fatehabad SP had also denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, the Jind police have booked the administrators of a local social media channel in connection with the case. Jind women police station SHO Mukesh Rani lodged a complaint that the administrators of the channel uploaded a post containing allegations against police officers. The SHO alleged that these were aimed at extortion and defaming the officers.