Ex-Andaman chief secretary suspended over allegations of rape

“The Ministry (of Home Affairs) received a report on 16.10.2022 from Andaman & Nicobar Police regarding the alleged sexual assault of a lady by Sh. Jitendra Narain, IAS (AGMUT:1990), the then Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and others. As the Report indicated the possibility of grave misconduct and misuse of official position on the part of Sh. Jitendra Narain, IAS (AGMUT:1990), the Union Home Minister directed to take immediate strict action against the officer concerned as per law. Accordingly, Sh. Jitendra Narain, IAS (AGMUT:1990) has been placed under suspension with immediate effect and disciplinary proceedings have been ordered against him,” an announcement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mentioned.

“The Government is committed to ensuring zero tolerance towards the acts of indiscipline by its officials irrespective of their rank and status, especially with regard to incidents involving the dignity of women. An FIR has been registered and action in the criminal case is being taken separately by the SIT of Andaman & Nicobar Police,” the assertion added.

The Indian Express had on October 15 reported that two serving bureaucrats, together with Narain, have been accused of sexual assault and gang rape by a 21-year-old girl in Port Blair.

Based on a criticism from the survivor, an FIR was lodged on the Aberdeen police station in Port Blair on October 1 in opposition to Narain and RL Rishi, posted as labour commissioner in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The police have arrange a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations.

When contacted in New Delhi on the time of submitting of the primary report on the matter, Narain had mentioned he wouldn’t wish to touch upon the “absurd” allegations. Sources near him had mentioned he had despatched a “detailed representation” to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union dwelling secretary, amongst others, denying the fees.

Rishi was unavailable for remark and his workplace informed The Indian Express that he was on “medical leave”. The Indian Express has confirmed that the licence plate of the automobile talked about by the girl – by which she was taken to Narain’s home — is registered in Rishi’s identify.

In the FIR (No. 165/2022), the complainant has requested that CCTV footage from Narain’s home ought to be collected and that she would establish his employees who also needs to be questioned.

The girl’s criticism, accessed by The Indian Express, offers an in depth account of the purported violent sexual assault on her on two events in April and May at Narain’s official residence in Port Blair.

In her criticism, the girl mentioned that looking for a job, she was launched to the labour commissioner by means of a resort proprietor and the commissioner took her to the residence of the chief secretary. There, she mentioned, she was provided liquor which she refused and was assured authorities employment. Subsequently, she alleged, she was brutally and sexually abused by the 2 males.

Two weeks later, she alleged within the criticism, she was once more known as at 9 pm to the chief secretary’s residence and the assault was repeated. Instead of the promised authorities job, she alleged, she was threatened with dire penalties if she spoke concerning the matter to anybody.

Narain has reportedly claimed, in his written denials, that the accusations had been on the behest of native officers in opposition to whom he had taken motion as chief secretary they usually had been behind a “malicious” marketing campaign in opposition to him. He has mentioned he would totally cooperate with the police and was prepared to face trial.