State official under harassment allegations: Uttar Pradesh government holds off on actions until formal complaint is filed
In a recent development, an anonymous letter accusing IAS officer Sandeep Bhagia of harassment has been received by the Uttar Pradesh government [1][2][3]. However, formal action cannot be taken without a named complainant coming forward.
The rules for pursuing harassment complaints against IAS officers require the complaint to be written and signed by the aggrieved person [1][2]. In this case, the government is awaiting formal, signed complaints from the alleged victims to proceed with disciplinary or legal action.
Anonymous allegations, while bringing attention to the issue, do not automatically result in official action unless substantiated by formal complaints following due process. The rules emphasize protection of complainants' identity but require their cooperation [1][2].
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) mandates that all workplaces with more than 10 employees establish an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) [4]. The ICC, headed by a senior woman employee, investigates complaints, with powers to summon witnesses and complete inquiries within 90 days [4].
In another case, a deputy commissioner in the Mathura state tax department was suspended after being found guilty of sexual harassment of his subordinates [5]. The principal secretary to the chief minister forwarded the complaint to the department of state tax for necessary action [5]. However, action can only be taken if the aggrieved persons come forward owning the complaint against the officer [5].
Sandeep Bhagia, the IAS officer under scrutiny in the Noida case, has previously worked as joint magistrate in Meerut and chief development officer in Muzaffarnagar [6]. He is accused of using abusive and threatening language, intimidation, inappropriate conduct, and misuse of authority [7].
The anonymous letter was addressed to the chief minister and marked to senior officials [8]. Some within the state tax department believe the anonymous letter could be the handiwork of vested interests [9]. Bhagia has acted strictly in many cases of tax evasion since his posting as additional commissioner, state tax, in Gautam Buddha Nagar [10].
Bhagia has denied the charges against him, terming them as "false" and "motivated" [11]. He has also expressed his willingness to clarify his position to the government if asked [11].
In a related development, action was also taken against members of the anti-sexual harassment cell in the Mathura case for hushing up the matter [5].
The rules for handling harassment complaints against IAS officers are clear: while protecting the identity of complainants, they require their cooperation. Anonymous allegations, while bringing attention to the issue, do not automatically result in official action unless substantiated by formal complaints following due process.
