- DIMAPUR — After Nagaland Police, the Nagaland
State Commission for Women (NSCW) has now come out with a chronological account
of events that had led to their filing of an FIR against IAS officer Reny
Wilfred for alleged sexual harassment of female employees.
- A press statement from the commission on Monday informed
that the NSCW had on February 27 met with the Chairman of Investment and
Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha, after learning of
allegations of sexual harassment within IDAN through reliable sources.
- “During the meeting, the commission received a verbal
complaint regarding allegations of sexual harassment by Reny Wilfred, IAS,
Joint Secretary, IDAN, towards certain female employees of the organisation.
Later, on the 19th of March 2025, NSCW received a forwarding letter of a
complaint of sexual harassment at IDAN from Abu Metha, Chairman IDAN, dated
03/03/25, and through that letter he had sought counselling for the victims.
- “Upon receiving this verbal complaint, the NSCW took
immediate cognisance of the matter. An official letter dated 5th March 2025 was
issued to the Chairman of IDAN, requesting the list of all female employees
working under the authority. In response, the under secretary, IDAN, furnished
the name list of all the female employees under IDAN,” the statement read.
Also read: Nagaland Police sets up SIT to probe allegations of sexual harassment against IAS officer
- The commission, as per the provisions of the NSCW Act of
2006, took necessary steps to hear the account of female employees of IDAN,
“and thereby statements were taken at NSCW office.”
- After hearing their accounts and “considering the gravity of
the offence as stated by some of the victims,” the NSCW filed a complaint
letter on March 17, which was addressed to the DGP, Nagaland.
- “It is also pertinent to mention that on the date 27/02/25,
when the NSCW received the verbal complaint, the Internal Complaints Committee
(ICC) under the establishment of IDAN was not properly constituted as per the
POSH Act. Earlier, a formal direction was issued by NSCW to the IDAN Chairman
dated 26/02/2025 to constitute the ICC under POSH Act with immediate effect at
IDAN—to address grievances of sexual harassment in workplace as mandated by the
Act.
- “That, by letter dated 26th February, 2025, the Under
Secretary of IDAN communicated two orders with regard to the appointment of
Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO) and Constitution of ICC on the same date.
However, it appeared through the communiqué that the GRO and the ICC Convenor
are the same person, therefore, the NSCW again redirected the IDAN office to
reconstitute the ICC as per the provisions of the POSH Act,” it stated.
- Accordingly, the under secretary of IDAN on March informed
that commission about the reconstitution of ICC on the same as per the POSH
Act.
- “That, on 2nd April 2025, a letter was received addressed to
the chairperson of NSCW from female employees of IDAN, seeking legal advice and
counselling for victims of sexual harassment. Therefore, in response to their
letter dated 02/04/25, the NSCW sent an invitation vide letter dated 03/04/05
for counselling and legal support on 04/04/2025.
- “The invitation was addressed to all the female employees of
IDAN so that their privacy is maintained and their names are not disclosed.
Accordingly, the service was provided as sought at the office of NSCW on
04/04/25,” it stated.
