Dalit Woman in Belagavi Alleges Sexual Harassment by Senior Official, Police Delay FIR Registration
A 30-year-old Dalit woman in Belagavi, who resigned from her position as warden of a government-run working women's hostel under the women and child welfare department, has come forward with serious allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation by a senior official. She claims that despite submitting multiple complaints, the police have yet to register a First Information Report (FIR), raising concerns about accountability and justice in the case.
Allegations of Harassment and Demands for Commission
Vidyavathi, who was appointed on a contract basis in August 2024, has accused child development project officer (CDPO) KV Ramamurthy of repeated harassment during her tenure. In her detailed complaint, she alleged that the officer demanded a monthly commission of Rs 10,000 from her salary and subjected her to harassment when she refused to comply. "He asked me to remain in the office until late evening if I did not comply. He also asked me to accompany him on a long drive to Goa, bring alcohol, and repeatedly called me after work hours using obscene language and sending inappropriate messages," she stated, highlighting the severity of the alleged misconduct.
Threats and Caste-Based Remarks
Vidyavathi further claimed that Ramamurthy threatened to terminate her employment if she did not cooperate with his demands. Additionally, she reported that he made caste-based remarks, exacerbating the harassment. The alleged misconduct continued for several months, ultimately forcing her to resign from her position. "The harassment was relentless and created an unbearable work environment, leading to my resignation," she explained, emphasizing the impact on her professional and personal well-being.
Complaints to Authorities and Police Inaction
In an effort to seek justice, Vidyavathi approached women and child development minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. "I met the minister and informed her about the harassment, but no action was taken," she alleged, expressing frustration over the lack of response from higher authorities. She then submitted a formal complaint in the last week of November 2025 to the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement in Belagavi when Ravindra Gadadi was the Superintendent of Police (SP). However, she claimed it was not registered due to a preliminary inquiry.
After Gadadi's transfer in December 2025, Vidyavathi filed another complaint on January 16 with the new SP, Shrinath Joshi. She alleged that even after more than a month, no FIR had been registered, citing delays in the process. SP Joshi responded by stating that the matter is under preliminary verification. He clarified that the document submitted was a petition, not a formal complaint, and lacked an electronic signature required for registering an FIR.
Rejection of Police Claims and Call for Investigation
Vidyavathi rejected the police's explanation, accusing officials of misleading the public. "I want my complaint to be registered and investigated. I have evidence of harassment. If the police seize our mobile phones and examine the messages, the truth will come out," she asserted, urging for a thorough probe into the allegations. She emphasized her readiness to cooperate with authorities to ensure justice is served.
Minister's Response and Assurance of Action
In response to the allegations, Laxmi Hebbalkar, minister for the women and child welfare department, stated, "The alleged sexual harassment case involving a Scheduled Caste woman in the women and child welfare department is being taken very seriously. A thorough inquiry will be conducted, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty. I will also personally speak with the survivor." This assurance highlights the government's commitment to addressing the issue, though Vidyavathi's experiences suggest ongoing challenges in the complaint process.
The case underscores broader issues of workplace harassment, especially against marginalized communities, and the need for efficient police response to ensure victims' rights are protected. As the investigation progresses, stakeholders are calling for transparency and accountability to prevent such incidents in the future.
