A Delhi police sub-inspector has been charged by a court here with outraging the modesty of his subordinate additional sub-inspector at the workplace by forcing her to watch a blue film and making advances towards her.
Metropolitan magistrate Ekta Gauba charged the sub-Inspector posted in the office of the deputy commissioner of police (West) with outrgaing the modesty of a woman ASI in 2010, holding that a prima facie case was made against out against him.
"From the allegations, offence under section 509 IPC (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) is prima facie made out as accused has shown obscene film to the complainant.
"In view of the fact that he has used criminal force with intention to outrage the modesty of the complainant by touching indecently the body of the complainant as well as kissing her, the offence under section 354 IPC (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) is prima facie made out," the magistrate said.
The court rejected the accused's contention that he had been implicated in the case by the complainant as he had complained against her for not reporting on duty on time.
"Sexual harassment of working women amounts to violation of rights of gender equality and right to life and liberty and also as a logical consequence amounts to violation of right to practise any profession, occupation or trade," the court said, relying on a Supreme Court judgment.
"In the present case, sexual harassment of women at the workplace has been alleged by the complainant being a junior police officer and subordinate to the accused who is also a senior police officer," the court noted.
In the incident dating back to August 1, 2010, the victim in her complaint said she was posted on Sunday duty in the office of the DCP (West) and entrusted with feeding the mobile numbers of police personnel deployed in Commonwealth Games-related work. She reported for work at 10am.
At about 12 noon, the accused, who was in charge of the HAX branch, walked over to her on the pretext of showing that his mobile phone had internet facility and began showing her a pornographic clip. The accused forced her to watch the film even though she objected, and also tried to touch her in an objectionable manner.
The complainant said she left her seat and the accused told her to report to him in the evening on the pretext of official work. The complainant ASI said that when she went up to him, the accused started kissing her and told her he loved her.
The ASI narrated the incident to her husband and also made a complaint to the DCP (West) the next day.
