Nagpur NGO Leader Arrested Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

Police Action Following Complaints

Nagpur police announced the arrest of an NGO leader on Sunday after multiple women employees lodged complaints against him for sexual harassment and other offenses. The complaints were filed after incidents allegedly occurred over several months, spanning from July 2024 until the official report was registered on Saturday.

According to a police inspector, four women, including three victims and their friend, approached law enforcement with their concerns. Additionally, there is a former employee who had resigned earlier and has yet to provide her statement. The police indicated that one woman initiated the formal complaint, while the others would serve as witnesses in the case.

Details of Allegations

One of the complainants reported an incident of molestation, claiming that during her birthday celebration in 2024, the accused forcibly embraced her and kissed her on the forehead after cutting the cake. She stated that he repeatedly attempted to initiate physical contact, including placing his hand on her shoulder, despite her requests for him to cease such behavior.

Furthermore, several women working at the NGO reported experiencing religious coercion at their workplace. According to the allegations, the accused pressured them to engage in religious practices, including performing prayers, fasting, and reciting specific prayers to avert potential mishaps, which the women stated they did not comply with.

Escalation of Claims

The complaints escalated after the accused allegedly contacted the mother of a former employee and made disparaging remarks about the character of other women working at the NGO. He reportedly advised her against allowing her daughter to associate with them. Following this incident, the women collectively decided to approach the police to address their grievances.

Court Proceedings and Legal Context

After his arrest, the accused, who identifies as a social worker and touted himself as a prominent individual during police interrogation, was presented before a Nagpur court. The court ordered him to remain in police custody until April 23 for further investigation.

The authorities invoked various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions that pertain to assault, sexual harassment, stalking, defamation, and unlawful monitoring of electronic communications. Sections 74, 75(2), 78(2), 296, 302, and 356(2) were particularly mentioned, alongside Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act.

Anti-Terrorism Squad Involvement

The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has begun collecting initial information related to the case as part of routine procedures for cases that may have a communal aspect. Officers confirmed that this is a standard measure to ascertain if any such dimension exists in the allegations against the NGO leader.