Congress’s social media member arrested for ‘sexual harassment’

Chirag Patnaik, a social media manager of the Congress, was booked for making sexual remarks and using words or gestures meant to insult the modesty of a woman.

The Delhi Police on Monday arrested Chirag Patnaik, a Congress social media member, for allegedly sexually harassing a former colleague at the workplace. He was later released on bail.

The complainant was a social media manager of the Congress and was given the responsibility of running two of the party’s Twitter accounts. (AP/Picture for representation)

The 30-year-old woman had approached the police in July after which a case was registered at the North Avenue police station on July 3. Patnaik had been booked for making sexual remarks and using words or gestures meant to insult the modesty of a woman.

“...As stated in the complaint , Patnaik abused his official position to engage in perverted acts which can be mildly termed as sexual harassment. The applicant conveyed her disapproval both verbally and by action, but Patnaik did not relent and continued with these acts ...,” the FIR said.

Reacting to the arrest, Congress’ social media head Divya Spandana tweeted that the matter was also being probed internally. “The social media dept has set up an internal committee and as per the provisions of the Act the internal committee is already investigating the complaint. In view of confidentiality of the investigation, no further comments will be made,” Spandana said.