Meghalaya: Case registered against police for allegedly sexually harassing lawyer

The Meghalaya police on Tuesday, November 12, have registered a case against its Sub-Inspector Habanjob Khonglah, who is accused of sexually harassing a lawyer, a police officer said. However, Habanjob Khonglah, who was an officer-in-charge of Lad Rymbai Police outpost is yet to be arrested by the police. 

On November 11, a woman lodged a complaint against the official at the Khliehriat women police station in East Jaintia Hills district accusing him of sexually abusing her. Habanjob Khonglah has been accused of sending inappropriate messages and showing his genitals to the lawyer via video calling. The woman alleged that the police officer even touched her hand when she visited the police outpost for some legal matter.

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"A case has been registered against him (Khonglah). He has been transferred from Lad Rymbai OutPost and Investigation is going on," Vivekanand Singh, the district police chief, said. "It is Investigation Officer's discretion whether to arrest or not. If required, he will be arrested since the charge against him is punishable with three years' imprisonment and arrest is not mandatory in such cases," he added. The police officer reportedly said the accused is cooperating with the investigation.

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Another incident

An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Haryana police was booked after his 14-year-old niece accused him of sexual harassment, the Rohtak police said on November 11.

In her complaint, the girl said that on November 9, the accused came to her home when she was alone. After asking where her mother was, the accused took her to the nearby fields and sexually harassed her, the complainant said. The girl also alleged that the accused threatened her of dire consequences if she narrated the incident to anyone.

However, when her mother returned home, the girl informed her, after which they lodged a complaint with the police. The ASI has been booked under Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.

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