Guwahati, Assam– The Nagaland Police have initiated a formal investigation into allegations of sexual and mental harassment leveled against an IAS officer by multiple women employees of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN). An FIR has been registered in the case, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to thoroughly examine the accusations.
The police headquarters confirmed today that the action follows a written complaint submitted by Nginyeih Konyak, chairperson of the Nagaland State Women Commission (NSCW), to the Director General of Police on March 17. This complaint was based on an earlier verbal intimation made on February 27 by Abu Metha, the IDAN Chairman and Advisor to the Chief Minister, regarding the conduct of the said IAS officer, who holds the position of joint secretary.
According to the police statement, the NSCW had previously recorded the testimonies of several women employed at IDAN on March 5, wherein they detailed instances of alleged harassment by the IAS officer. These allegations include demands for physical favors in exchange for salary increments and employment opportunities within the organization. The accused IAS officer has reportedly denied all charges brought against him.
The sequence of events leading to the police investigation began with a formal forwarding letter, accompanied by the victims’ complaints addressed to Abu Metha. This correspondence was submitted by the IDAN Chairman to the NSCW on March 3. Subsequently, these documents were forwarded to the police headquarters, prompting an initial preliminary enquiry into the matter.
On March 25, the police headquarters assigned a woman Deputy Superintendent of Police to conduct this preliminary inquiry. The findings of the DSP’s report, submitted on April 1, indicated the presence of prima facie evidence supporting the allegations made by the women employees of IDAN against the IAS officer. The report recommended a more in-depth criminal investigation into the matter. Consequently, an FIR was officially registered on April 2.
Furthering the investigation, the police headquarters announced the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on April 5. This team, led by a senior IPS officer, has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive probe into the case, examining all facets and dimensions of the allegations.
The police statement also highlighted a past instance involving the same IAS officer. In 2021, while serving as the Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, he was reportedly booked for allegedly molesting two underage domestic workers at his official residence. A charge sheet in that case was submitted on December 2, 2021, and the Special POCSO Court in Tuensang has since taken cognizance of the matter.
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