A Haryana Civil Services (HCS) officer, Kulbhushan Bansal, was arrested by Haryana Police on Saturday in Hisar following allegations of sexual assault by a Dalit worker employed in the public health department. The alleged incidents reportedly took place in Fatehabad, during Bansal’s tenure there. The complainant, who now works under the Haryana Kaushal Rojgar Nigam, has also accused Bansal of making casteist remarks towards him. The arrest was carried out by a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sunil Kumar, after the victim’s statement was recorded in court on Friday.
Complaint Filed with Authorities and Evidence Submitted
Seeking justice, the worker lodged a formal complaint with the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and senior officials of his department. Additionally, he sent copies of the complaint, which included a video of the alleged assault, to the Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice and the Chief Minister’s grievance cell. The allegations led the Haryana government to suspend Kulbhushan Bansal on Thursday, prior to his arrest.
According to the complaint, Bansal initially used his influence to recruit the victim as a peon on a contractual basis in 2020. The worker alleges that he was subjected to sexual exploitation at gunpoint. The complainant stated that when he resisted the officer’s advances, Bansal threatened him with a pistol, warning of dire consequences, including termination from his job. The worker claims the harassment started during Bansal’s tenure in Fatehabad and continued even after the victim’s refusal to comply with his demands.
Government Action and Arrest
The victim’s courage in coming forward has brought the issue to light, prompting action from various government bodies. The state government acted swiftly by suspending Bansal from his official duties and allowed the police to proceed with the investigation. Following the victim’s court statement, the police carried out a raid at Bansal’s residence, resulting in his arrest on Saturday.
The case has gained significant attention due to the alleged abuse of power by a senior civil services officer, particularly against a Dalit worker, which raises issues of caste discrimination in addition to the serious nature of sexual assault. The police investigation continues as authorities work to uncover further details and seek justice for the victim.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is also expected to monitor the proceedings closely, given the serious nature of the accusations involving caste-based exploitation and harassment. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for addressing misconduct and abuse of power within government departments.