A female assistant loco pilot from the Salem Division of Southern Railway has demanded strict action against a chief loco inspector after she alleged sexual assault during an orientation course examination held on September 13 last year.
An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) was set up after her complaint was received. “The Chief Loco Inspector, T. Selvaraj, allegedly touched her head, shoulder, thigh, hip and lip,” the ICC said while recording the woman's statement.
In her appeal before the Salem Divisional Railway Manager, she said the incident was not limited to physical contact. "The incident was never mere touching or physical contact towards me. Rather, it constituted aggravated sexual harassment and assault with intent to outrage my modesty, as defined under Sections 74 and 75 of the BNS."
She alleged that she was called alone to the Crew Controller’s office during the examination process. According to her, this was when the incident took place.
The ICC report states that after returning home, she received a call from the accused officer, who apologised and asked her to forget the incident. Call recordings submitted by the complainant were examined during the inquiry.
“Accordingly, the ICC holds that the charges framed against T Selvaraj, CLI/ED, are proved,” the report said. The committee recommended transfer from the Salem Division’s Erode depot and a warning of strict action in case of repeat complaints.
Southern Railway later transferred the employee to Coimbatore and issued a warning of strict action in case of any further complaint. The ICC also suggested installing CCTV cameras at key office locations to improve monitoring.
In her appeal, the woman said the action taken did not match the findings of the inquiry. "Their recommendations that only warn the offender, after the offence has been proved, are rather painful."
She also raised concerns about intent behind the incident. "It was a planned move by him, knowing well that nobody would be there in the office of the Crew Controller, which was on the first floor of the Crew booking office at Erode. He called me to the office to renew my orientation certificate."
She said she managed to leave the room after struggling to get away. She also objected to how the inquiry report was shared, stating that it was handed over without ensuring confidentiality.
She has requested that authorities issue directions to maintain confidentiality in such matters and take further action based on the inquiry findings.
