Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SR)

Mumbai, Jun 22: Superintendent Hiralal Jadhav, who is under inquiry after a woman ex-employee at Thane Central Prison accused him of sexual harassment, has been reinstated as head of Aurangabad Central Prison.

The state government allotted posting to Jadhav, after the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT) ordered his reinstatement last month. As per an Indian Express report, Jadhav who assumed charge on June 1, declined to comment when contacted by the reporter.

The woman ex-employee at Thane Central Prison had lodged a complaint in 2016, against Jadhav of sexual harassment and making unwanted advances. In her complaint she said in June 2016, she had sent a written request to Jadhav, the then head of Thane Central Prison for accommodation in the staff quarters. To discuss the case, in August 2016, Jadhav allegedly asked the woman to meet him at Kalwa bridge. She reached the spot as instructed, after which Jadhav gave her an unsolicited compliment and held her hand. He asked her to accompany him for a drive in his car but the woman refused and went away. After that incident Jadhav allegedly sent the woman sexually explicit images and engaged in obscene conversation on WhatsApp.

Unable to bear the harassment, the woman brought the matter to the notice of Prison Department DIG Swati Sathe. Jadhav was placed under suspension in September 2016 following a probe. Jadhav was also booked for entering Thane jail premises forcibly with a group of 15-16 men and defaming the woman by leaking her pictures.