In a strong response to allegations of sexual harassment levelled by a woman constable, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has suspended a DIG-rank officer and an inspector with immediate effect.
The two officers were suspended after a preliminary inquiry instituted by the CRPF found them guilty.
The suspended officers are DIG Khajan Singh and Inspector Surjit Singh. At the time of the alleged crime, DIG Khajan Singh was serving as the Chief Sports Officer while Inspector Surjit Singh was a team coach.
Taking note of the allegations, the CRPF instituted two inquiries against them. The first is the preliminary inquiry in which they have been held guilty. It will be followed by a detailed probe in which the duo may face dismissal from service if found guilty.
Sources say Inspector Surjit Singh was suspended on March 19 while DIG Khajan Singh was suspended after getting a nod from the Union home ministry.
WHAT IS THE MATTER ALL ABOUT?
The probe against them began last year when a 30-year-old constable, who has won several medals for the force, accused team coach Inspector Surjit Singh and DIG (Chief Sports Officer) Khajan Singh of rape and sexual harassment.
The constable lodged an FIR with the Delhi Police stating the duo sexually harassed her on several occasions.
The woman had reportedly filed complaints in the past too but withdrew them alleging DIG Khajan Singh's "great influence" in the CRPF and the Union home ministry.
Speaking to India Today TV on conditions of anonymity, an officer said, "DIG Khajan Singh was posted out for the first time to the Western Sector since taking charge. Sources in CRPF said during the time of the probe against him, he was still trying to return to Delhi hoping he would get a clean chit."
WHO IS DIG KHAJAN SINGH?
Khajan Singh is a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in the CRPF. He is a swimming champion and won silver medal in the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
DIG Khajan Singh is also an Arjuna Awardee.
The allegations
India Today TV has learnt that the investigation against DIG Kjahan Singh is being headed by Charu Sinha, a 1996-batch IPS officer currently based in Srinagar.
The preliminary probe was based on a single complainant after which her statement was recorded, along with several other witnesses. The two officers were also given opportunity to explain their position.
In her complaint, the constable had alleged that in October and November 2014, she was taken to a flat in Delhi's Vasant Kunj, where she was "raped by both Khajan Singh and Surjit Singh continuously for three days".
"On October 31, 2014 and on November 2, 2014, DIG Khajan Singh and Inspector Surjit Singh together raped me. On November 1, 2014 Surjit Singh alone raped me," she had alleged.
In 2018, she stated that she had written to the National Commission of Women (NCW), the then CRPF DG Rajeev Bhatnagar and Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba.