Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala on Tuesday slammed Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar for backing minister Sandeep Singh, who has been booked for sexually harassing a woman athletics coach.
Also read: Khattar rules out stripping Sandeep Singh of ministerial position
The Chandigarh police registered a case against Sandeep Singh on December 31 for allegedly outraging the modesty of the coach. To pacify the growing public anger, he was divested of the sports and youth affairs portfolio.
Despite the chorus for his ouster by khaps, women rights groups and political parties, Sandeep Singh continues to be in the council of ministers.
Reacting to Khattar’s remarks on Monday that there was no question of sacking Sandeep Singh from the council of ministers as mere allegations and registration of an FIR does not make a person guilty, Abhay Singh said that it was a disgraceful comment.
“When the CM brazenly defends the minister by relying on the statement of Sandeep Singh - that the allegations made by the woman coach against him were incorrect and false - it unambiguously means that the CM is willing to accept the version of the minister and discredit the victim. And, this is being done at a time when the investigation is going on,’’ Abhay Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}“When the CM brazenly defends the minister by relying on the statement of Sandeep Singh - that the allegations made by the woman coach against him were incorrect and false - it unambiguously means that the CM is willing to accept the version of the minister and discredit the victim. And, this is being done at a time when the investigation is going on,’’ Abhay Singh said.
{{/usCountry}}The INLD MLA said: “Since the person who offered the victim a sum of ₹1 crore to settle abroad has been identified by the police, I wonder what the chief minister has to say. How will the CM defend Sandeep Singh once it comes on record that the person offering the money was a conduit of the minister?’’
All-India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) national vice-president Jagmati Sangwan said Khattar’s remarks were inappropriate. “By defending Sandeep Singh, the chief minister is trying to send implicit signals to the investigating agencies. He is also casting doubts on the character of the victim, whereas his responsibility is to ensure that there is a fair investigation. That is not possible till the time Singh is holding a ministerial position,’’ she said.
Sangwan said the minister should be sacked after the registration of FIR as the alleged sexual harassment in this case has emanated from a position of power. “Sandeep Singh as a minister has the ability to influence the investigation,’’ she said.