Chandigarh cops to probe charge of sexual harassment against Haryana minister

CHNADIGARH: A four-member SIT was formed Monday to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against Haryana minister and former India hockey captain Sandeep Singh by an athlete-coach, who was given police protection in view of life threats she claimed to have received following her complaint that the politician had "inappropriately touched her, praised her figure and asked her to keep him happy" last summer, report Manvir Saini & Arvind.Bishnoi.

The Chandigarh police SIT will be headed by DSP (East) Palak Goel, who refused to "share details related to the case". But sources said the SIT members have been chosen keeping in mind the allegations levelled by the junior coach in her two-page complaint. All allegations, including social media chats, her calls, meetings, press conferences, will be examined and verified by SIT before calling and questioning the minister, who handed over the sports and youth welfare department portfolio to CM Manohar Lal Khattar Sunday after a criminal case was filed against him. He has denied the charges.

A parallel probe is being conducted by a Haryana government-appointed committee, headed by ADGP Mamta Singh. It began preliminary questioning of officials of the sports department as well as police personnel. Chandigarh police had registered an FIR against the minister, a former Olympian and a first-time MLA with BJP, after Haryana police failed to register a case on the complaint of the woman.