Haryana: All-Women SIT Begins Probe Into Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Former Jind SP

The SIT was formed after a four-page letter went viral on social media on October 25 levelling sexual harassment allegations against then Jind SP

An all-women, three-member special investigation team (SIT) has reportedly begun its probe into the sexual harassment allegations against an IPS officer in Haryana. The SIT is headed by ADGP Mamta Singh and also includes Fatehabad SP Aastha Modi and DIG-level woman IPS officer Sangeeta Kalia. 

The SIT was formed after a four-page letter went viral on social media on October 25 levelling sexual harassment allegations against then Jind Superintendent of Police (SP) with the help of two female officers of the Haryana police. In the letter to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, DGP and other officials, seven female police personnel accused former SP Sumit Kumar of sexual harassment. 

Taking the matter seriously, the Haryana government initially asked Fatehabad SP Astha Modi to conduct a probe and submit a report to the department. As part of her investigation, Modi has been recording statements of the female police personnel from the district concerned. The statements of all 142 female police personnel from Jind would be recorded as part of the probe, according to a report by Indian Express. 

As per the report, the government constituted the SIT as it was believed that the matter needed to be taken more seriously. As part of the probe, SIT member Mamta Singh visited Jind as part of the investigation on Monday. 

Meanwhile, the government has transferred two female officers — who were named as “facilitators” of the IPS officer in the sexual harassment letter--out of the district concerned. There were allegations that these officials could influence the probe. The IPS officer, against whom the allegations were levelled-- has also been shifted from the district.

The SIT has reportedly been asked to submit its report at the earliest.

As per a report by Times of India, the SIT will focus its probe on a YouTuber whose email IDs and other equipment were reportedly used for making letters related to alleged sexual harassment claims of woman constables viral.

“The said person (Youtuber) is the most important link in the entire case,” an official told TOI.