Bagalkot: Woman alleges sexual harassment by DFO

www.magaloretoday.com

Bagalkot, Dec 11, 2013 (DHNS): A case of sexual harassment against H B Nayaka, a deputy forest officer (DFO) with the Bagalkot Social Forest Division has been registered by the Navanagar police, after receiving a complaint from one of his female colleagues.

The complainant, working as a second grade helper at the Badami social forestry division, filed a complaint with the police on Tuesday, alleging that the DFO was sexually harassing her. The officer has been absconding since, said sub-inspector of the Navanagar police station.

The woman hails from Hunagund taluk and lives with her two children in Badami. She has been working in the department since 2010, when she was recruited on compassionate grounds after the accidental death of her husband, who was working as a forest conservator in the department.

She would often visit the district office of the social forestry division in Bagalkot for work purposes. The DFO, who befriended her during these visits, began to harass her by calling her over the phone. The woman, in her complaint, has alleged that the officer has been harassing her for the last two months.

He has reportedly said to her: “I am infatuated with you. If you come to the Bagalkot district office on deputation, I will provide you with housing and half my income. Come and visit me at my guesthouse in Navanagar.” She has recorded the conversations the DFO had with her on her mobile phone.

H B Nayaka is a native of Karwar and his family resides in Belgaum. He has one year left for retirement.