Four Women Accuse Delhi Official of Harassment

In a shocking revelation, four women have come forward with complaints of sexual harassment against Premoday Khakha, a suspended assistant director of the Delhi government’s women and child development (WCD) department. Khakha was arrested on Monday under allegations of repeatedly raping a minor girl at his residence between November 2020 and January 2021. While this case has taken center stage, two other complaints by women against Khakha are now pending before the Delhi High Court, shedding light on a disturbing pattern of behavior. Between 2018 and 2022, four women employed at a mental health unit within the Sewa Kutir complex in Kingsway Camp, where Khakha was stationed as a superintendent, filed complaints of sexual harassment against him. These women, working for a non-governmental organization (NGO), had contractual roles at the mental health unit. The complainants consisted of two counselors, a clinical psychologist, and an anonymous individual who lodged similar charges against Khakha. A senior official from the WCD department, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the existence of these complaints. According to sources and documents seen by HT, the internal committee (IC) of the WCD department investigated two of the complaints and concluded that the harassment allegations could not be proven. In response, both complainants escalated the matter to the Delhi High Court. In a notable turn, the department filed an affidavit for one case in February 2022, with the hearing scheduled for September 2023. The second case’s affidavit was submitted in June 2023, and the hearing is set for November 2023. In a separate move, the third complainant approached the high court in June 2021 but was directed to seek recourse from the appropriate authority. The details of subsequent actions in this case remain undisclosed. Khakha’s legal representative, Uma Shanker Gautam, expressed surprise at the sexual harassment complaints, claiming no prior knowledge. However, these allegations stand starkly against the accusations presented by the complainants. One victim described Khakha’s actions, stating that he consistently made inappropriate comments about her appearance, and even attempted to coerce her into sexual activity. She also recounted an incident where he attempted to pull her onto his lap in front of colleagues, leading her to resign and file a complaint. The second and third victims described Khakha as a constant source of fear in their workplace, alleging not only lewd comments but also physical harassment. The second complainant even claimed that Khakha had attempted to drug her, causing her to feel dizzy and vulnerable. Khakha’s rise within the department is noteworthy, having joined as a probation welfare officer in 1996 and eventually serving as an officer on social duty (OSD) for the WCD minister. His tenure spanned over 25 years, during which he ascended to positions of considerable power within the WCD department. These accusations have raised questions about the working environment within the Delhi government’s WCD department and its response to such complaints. Rajendra Pal Gautam, who held the WCD portfolio until March 2022, denied any knowledge of sexual harassment complaints during his tenure. Kailash Gahlot, the WCD minister between 2022 and earlier this year, has yet to respond to requests for comments. As the cases proceed before the Delhi High Court, they spotlight the importance of addressing workplace harassment and the critical need for a safe and supportive environment for all employees. The outcome of these legal proceedings will not only determine justice for the victims but also send a strong message about the consequences of such behavior within government institutions.

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