Maharashtra women jail staff forced to keep sexual relations with seniors: letter sent to Sena leader

Gorhe, a senior member of the state legislative council, received a letter from a woman superintendent of a district jail complaining about the incidents

Shiv Sena legislator and women’s rights activist Neelam Gorhe has called for a thorough investigation into alleged harassment and sexual abuse of staff in a district jail of Maharashtra by senior officials.

Shiv Sena legislator Neelam Gorhe has demanded a probe into the allegations. (HT FILE)

Gorhe, a senior member of the state legislative council, received a letter from a woman superintendent of a district jail complaining about the incidents. The superintendent, however, denied having sent the letter to Gorhe.

The Sena leader handed over a copy of the letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and requested for an inquiry.

Gorhe said, “In the letter, the woman superintendent has mentioned ten incidents where different women have been bullied, exploited and they are under pressure to keep relations with their higher-ups.”

The Sena leader said she tried to verify the claims by contacting the person who allegedly sent the letter. “She denied sending the letter. This means there is either the possibility of someone wanting to malign some people’s image, or there might even be some truth in the complaint. Either way, it needs to be investigated.”

The letter states till date, a particular senior jail official has allegedly molested at least 60 to 70 women employees. As per the letter, he also kept sexual relations with the complainant, falsely promising to marry her.