CRPF DIG And Arjuna Awardee Found Guilty Of Sexually Harassing Colleagues; Govt Approves Dismissal

Arjuna awardee and Deputy Inspector General ranked officer Khajan Singh has been found guilty of the sexual harassment charges levelled against him by some colleagues. He was the chief sports officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and was suspended in 2021 following the allegations. The government has accepted the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) recommendations to dismiss Khajan Singh.

The probe conducted by the CRPF found the former chief guilty of sexually harassing the colleagues. The final order of dismissal will be made after taking note of the reply from the accused person within 15 days.  

Khajan Singh is an Arjuna Awardee and a national swimming champion who won silver at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. During his tenure as the chief sports officer of the CRPF, a group of women constables accused Khajan Singh of misusing his position and sexually harassing them. The allegations also included abusing and even threatening female colleagues working at the paramilitary service. 

After the preliminary enquiry conducted by the CRPF, Khajan Singh was placed under suspension in 2021. But, he was later reinstated to the service after the Delhi High Court acquitted him. However, with the central Reserve Force Internal Complaint Committee found the Arjuna awardee guilty in the case, initiatives were taken to dismiss the former sports chief. 

“A notice was given to him after a detailed enquiry was done. UPSC recommended the dismissal, the MHA gave a go-ahead and a notice was issued to him to remove him from service, He, however, will be allowed to respond and present his case. The final orders will be issued after taking into consideration the reply received from him within 15 days,” Media reported citing a government source. 

A wrestler in the CRPF in 2018 accused Mr Singh of sexually harassing her and many other girls in the wrestling team. According to her allegations, Mr Singh had touched the girls inappropriately on the pretext of training. She has also alleged that Khajan Singh is running a sex scandal, harassing, raping and threatening several women in the force. 

Khajan Singh has earlier denied the allegations terming it false and attempting to spoil his image. However, after the CRPF conducted the investigation taking note of several complaints, the Internal Complaints Committee which was entrusted with the inquiry said that the decision was taken “on merit and a detailed probe by the committee.”