Staff backed official facing sexual harassment charges

Days after a female subordinate accused Deputy Director Manoj Choudhary of touching her inappropriately, Agricultural Department staff came out in support of her, demanding an impartial investigation of the matter.

Work in the District Agriculture Department came to a halt as employees locked office doors and submitted memorandums to both the district collector and the district commissioner.

The agitation took place under the banner of Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Officers Association. Officials, including women employees, submitted memorandums to the Commissioner and Collector.

Authorities claimed that the ‘victim’ was known to have made such allegations in the past.

Her actions sparked a sense of vulnerability among her male counterparts.

Ajay Kaushal, state president of the association, said that although the organization respects women, the action taken in this case is one-sided and unfair. He said the Koh-e-Fiza police were unilaterally pursuing the matter despite contrary facts presented before them.

The complainant has reportedly made false allegations in the past. She said her husband’s public statements accusing ministry officials were seen as attempts to discredit the ministry, which the association strongly condemned.

Koh-e-Fiza police registered an FIR in the matter on Saturday after a female employee accused Choudhary of touching her inappropriately at the department’s Bhopal Collection office.