JAMMU, July 26: Sub-Judge Udhampur Slahuddin Ahmed today framed charges against Surinder Singh Rana then Commanding Officer 187 Bn CRPF, Battal Ballian in sexual harassment case.
Previously, on 18.10.2022, a complaint was received at P.S. Udhampur from the Office of Dy.SP Headquarters Udhampur by the complainant that she joined 187 BN, CRPF on 12.05.2022.
She was posted to D/187 BN, CRPF at Ramban and was directed to join the company only after the familiarization. But on completion of familiarization, she was not sent to the company was directed to remain at HQ & thereafter she had been receiving lewd messages from the Commandant, 187 BN, Surender Singh Rana along with gestures.
On number of occasions, she displayed her disapproval to his such gestures and messages and finally conveyed to him in writing asking him to stop it immediately, but he did not stop.
All this led people to believe that she was being favoured and subsequently someone made an anonymous call to his wife.
She prayed for registration of FIR & accordingly, FIR was registered at P.S. Udhampur for offences punishable under sections 354-A/354-D/509 IPC and the investigation was started by the I.O.
During investigation, the complainant furnished nine pages of whatsapp screenshots which were seized by the I.O. and seizure memo was prepared& statement of complainant under section 164 Cr.P.C was recorded in the court.
On 21.10.2022, the accused Surinder Singh Rana was arrested.
Sub-Judge Udhampur after hearing both the sides observed that there are specific allegations in the statement of complainant under Section 164, Cr.P.C. that the accused being commanding officer of the complainant suggested her that anything could happen between them, if she wanted, and that he had to write her ACR.
There is an element of quid pro quo on the part of the accused, for giving a better ACR, and ACR was something which he was empowered to write, being her superior officer. Hence, prima facie there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed offence punishable under section 354-E IPC.
Thus, in light of what has been discussed hereinabove, this court is satisfied that prima facie there are grounds for presuming that the accused has committed offences punishable under sections 354-A/354-D/354-E/509 IPC.
Accordingly, accused Surinder Singh Rana is charged for commission of offences punishable under sections 354-A/354-D/354-E/509 IPC.
The contents of the charge memo have been read over and explained to the accused, who has pleaded not guilty and preferred trial.
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