Woman accuses Maharashtra transport panel official of demanding sexual favours

The Mumbai Police has registered a case against a high-ranking official of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) for allegedly demanding sexual favours from a woman.
The woman, who works with an external consultant for MSRTC projects, filed a complaint with the Nagpada police on October 1. According to the FIR, accessed by India Today TV, the woman said the alleged incident took place in May when the accused official called her to his cabin at the Mumbai Central office. While others left the room after the meeting, the official asked her to stay back.
He then asked her to write an e-mail while he went to the toilet. When he returned, he allegedly leaned towards her.
The FIR states that the officials told the woman that her superior in the consultancy firm had grown professionally because she “compromised” and encouraged her to do the same if she wanted the same growth. He further assured her that if she agreed to “compromise”, he could recommend her seniors to promote her as Manager.
The official also promised her that within six months, there would be a new project with another consultancy firm, and he could get her posted there as Associate Director if she accepted his proposal.
The official told her that he had not had sex with his wife for six years as she had undergone surgery. He also said he would book a room at a hotel and asked if she would be his “friend with benefits”, the FIR states.
The woman then walked out of the cabin. However, the official called her again the same evening and asked if she was ready to “compromise”. The woman refused and recorded the call. She then informed her superior about the incident and her complaint was forwarded to POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) committee. The MSRTC was also informed, and an internal committee was set up.
According to sources, the internal committee members were changed after some time and some relatives and people known to the accused official were added to the panel.
The woman finally filed a police complaint on October 1. Senior police officials said they would record statements of witnesses and accused.
Reacting to the allegations, Madhav Kusekar, Vice-President and Administrative Director of MSRTC, said, “I have asked for the report from the internal committee and it will be submitted shortly. Today, the chairperson of the committee was called to police station so it couldn’t be submitted. The process has been completed and as soon as the report is submitted, we will take appropriate action as per findings of the committee.”
Regarding allegations of relatives of the accused officials being appointed to the committee, Kusekar said “There are no such relatives of anyone in the committee.”