Andaman woman says she was sexually abused by 2 senior bureaucrats, police probe

A 21-year-old woman has reportedly accused two serving bureaucrats of sexual assault in Andaman Nicobar’s Port Blair.

According to an Indian Express report, one of the accused named in the complaint filed by the victim is Jitendra Narain- a 1990 batch IAS officer. Narain was Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar until 3 months ago. The other man accused by the woman is RL Rishi posted as Labour Commissioner in A&N Islands.

The alleged sexual assault according to a complaint by the woman occurred in the months of April and May. On October 1, 2022, an FIR was lodged after the Director General of Police, A&N Islands responded to an August 22, 2022 dated complaint by the victim. Following the FIR a special investigating team has been set up to probe the charges against serving bureaucrats, Indian express reported.

The woman’s complaint, as seen by the Indian Express, carries a detailed account of the alleged violent sexual attack on the 21-year-old on two occasions at night in April and May at Narain’s official residence in Port Blair. Sharing her ordeal, the victim has said that he became acquainted with the accused men through a hotel owner as she was looking for a job.

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As per the Indian Express report, the victim was then taken to Narain’s residence in a car that was registered in Rishi’s name on the pretext of getting her government employment. There, she said, she was offered liquor which she refused. Subsequently, she alleged, she was brutally and sexually abused by the two men. The victim has also alleged that she was threatened with dire consequences if she spoke about the matter to anyone, the report said.

Citing sources, the IE report said the SIT will handle the probe in a “fair and time-bound” manner. Besides, a Section 164 CrPC (confessional statement) of the woman has been recorded by the SIT as well as by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Port Blair where she filed a second complaint.

Meanwhile, RL Rishi did not respond to queries by the Indian Express, Naraine, who is currently Chairman & Managing Director of the Delhi Financial Corporation has denied the charge calling it ‘absurd’.