Kohima: The Nagaland Police have registered an FIR and formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of sexual and mental harassment levelled against an IAS officer by several women employees of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).
According to a statement from the police headquarters, the investigation was initiated following a written complaint submitted by Nagaland State Women Commission (NSCW) Chairperson Nginyeih Konyak to the Director General of Police on March 17.
The complaint was based on a verbal report received on February 27 from IDAN Chairman and Chief Minister’s Advisor, Abu Metha.
NSCW recorded statements from multiple women employees of IDAN on March 5, who accused the IAS officer, a joint secretary, of soliciting physical favours in exchange for salary increments and employment opportunities. The officer has denied the allegations.
The complaint, initially addressed to Metha by the IDAN chairman on March 3, was forwarded to the NSCW, which subsequently passed the documents to the police, prompting a preliminary inquiry.
A woman Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was tasked with the inquiry on March 25, and her report, submitted on April 1, found prima facie evidence supporting the claims of the complainants.
An FIR was registered on April 2, and on April 5, an SIT led by a senior IPS officer was constituted to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
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The SIT is currently examining all aspects of the case.
The accused IAS officer has faced similar allegations in the past. In 2021, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, he was charged with molesting two underage domestic workers at his official residence.
A charge sheet was filed in that case, and the Special POCSO Court in Tuensang took cognizance of the matter.
