Vishakha panel to probe SP’s sexual harassment complaint against IG

The new committee will constitute ADGP Seema Agarwal, ADGP S Arunachalam, DIG PC Thenmozhi, retired additional SP Saraswathi and senior administrative officer Ramesh from the office of DGP as members. 

“The new committee will look into complaints from all units of the Tamil Nadu police. The committee is expected to probe the allegation of a woman SP against an IG,” an official said. In the compliant, the SP had alleged that the IG had tried to sexually assault her when she had entered his chamber for office work on August 1. The SP is currently on medical leave.

She had lodged a complaint on August 3 citing the allegation. She had reportedly met the state DGP with her complaint seeking action against the IG.

The police department already had a Vishakha committee to probe workplace sexual harassment headed by an officer in the rank of an IG. The new committee will be now headed by an ADGP, which will empower it to summon IG level officers also. Sources said that the IG himself had said that the allegation should be probed by the Vishakha commission. Only after the enquiry report is submitted can we ascertain whether the complaint was genuine or a result of office politics, a senior police officer said. When contacted, the SP said that she was busy and hence could not discuss the matter.