A 23-year-old transgender, who had joined the police force in Ramanathapuram in August, attempted suicide on Monday night, alleging harassment by colleagues at her workplace. She is undergoing treatment in hospital.

After crossing several hurdles, she had joined the Police force and was posted in the Armed Reserve (AR) wing on August 7. She is the first member of the third gender to join the police department in Ramanathapuram. She recorded a video message accusing certain colleagues of harassing her.

In the hospital, she said she hoped things would change for the better at her workplace. She alleged that three of her colleagues had harassed her on gender and caste grounds besides indulging in character assassination.

Acting on her complaint, Ramanathapuram Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena had ordered an inquiry by the District Crime Branch DSP Ravindra Prakash, who did not find prima facie material to proceed in the case.

Following her suicide attempt, the SP has ordered a fresh enquiry by Ramanathapuram DSP Natarajan. Based on his report, necessary actions would be initiated, he said.

Mr. Meena said the complaintant was posted in the Armed Reserve wing and given only office work. She failed to report for duty since November 2 and she had absented herself without prior intimation. As she was absent for more than 21 days, she was given a notice of ‘desertion’ after which she reported before him on Monday. She was allowed to join duty and posted at the passport verification office, the SP said.

Muthuramalingam, Inspector of Police (AR) and one of the three police personnel accused denied the charges. He alleged that she had levelled the charges at the instigation of someone to avoid facing action for her long absence. None of them had even seen her in the last one month, he said.