Panaji: Goa Police today formally began Investigation into the IFFI Sexual Harassment case, in which a 25 year old Delhi University Student was allegedly targeted with lewd comments asking for sexual favours by one of the organizers. The Girl was working as a programmer in the Soul of Asia and World Cinema sections of the 44th International Film Festival of India. The Accused is working as Deputy Director under Union ministry of Information and Broadcasting and he has been called back to New Delhi after the news of allegations broke out.
In a complaint filed with the Director of Film Festival Mr. Shankar Mohan on November 17, the victim said, “On the night of November 16, 2013, lewd suggestions were made by the Accused in the form of indirectly asking for sexual favours. As a result of the incident, I feel harassed and highly offended. Hence, I would like to report this matter under The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013”.
Another report cites these words of victim in the complaint, “He said, Let’s go for a drink together. Let’s drink and do everythingâ€.
According to O P Mishra, DIG of Goa Police, the local police would meet Mr. Shankar Mohan to get the copy of complaint.
Taking cognizance of gravity of the incident, IFFI Organizers also formed a committee of 3 women officials including Ms. Nirupama Kotru, Director (Films), Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, to probe the matter.
The committee interviewed both the complainant and the accused, but found no reasonable ground to recommend action against the Deputy Director.