Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has submitted an action taken report on note received from Health Minister, Saurabh Bhardwaj regarding incidence of alleged sexual harassment in Burari Hospital. The office of the Chief Secretary said the health minister's note was physically delivered on December 25 at 10.10 am. The ATR stated that Delhi Police has examined and inquires into the facts of the case as per provisions of law. The Minister has himself acknowledged that a FIR No. 1349/2023 dated 19.12.2023 has already been registered at Police Station, Burari.
"In case, any specific incident of Delhi Police going "soft" against the accused person(s) has come into the notice of Hon'ble Minister, the same may kindly be informed, as simple apprehensions on the basis of assumptions (in absence of any concrete facts / records / supporting evidence) cannot be acted upon, as criminal jurisprudence is based on the principles of "proved beyond reasonable doubt". However, the undersigned has already asked the Special Commissioner (Law and Order), Delhi Police to look into the matter for taking action as per law. Special Commissioner (Law and Order), Delhi Police has, inter-alia, informed as under in this regard. It has been further informed by the Delhi Police that statements of the complainant and other concerned have already been recorded by the Delhi Police in terms of section 164 of the CrPC and further action is being taken in the matter as per law. The matter in presently under inquiry by Delhi Police and necessary action against the firm (if found guilty by Delhi Police) would be taken as per law," the chief secretary said in the ATR.
Expressing surprise over AAP handle Tweeting Minister's note with a 6 hour deadline, being sent to him on email, the chief secretary office said they received the note exactly 6 hrs after the AAP handle tweeted the note.
Earlier, Bharadwaj has lamented that Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has not responded to his note in the Burari hospital incident. Addressing media queries, Bharadwaj expressed displeasure and said Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has not responded. "One can imagine how the elected government functions and how will the safety of women be ensured when the chief secretary doesn't act on an urgent note. This is when so much hue and cry has been created by the Delhi unit of BJP in this particular incident. Will BJP now demand action against the Chief Secretary?", Bharadwaj said.
On Sunday, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has asked the Chief Secretary (CS) to take the strictest possible action against those accused of molestation and harassment of women contractual workers at a hospital in north Delhi's Burari. In a letter to the CS, Bhardwaj expressed his displeasure alleging Delhi Police was "soft against the accused" in spite of an FIR filed on 19 December. The minister asked CS to ensure strict action by the police. The minister also directed that an enquiry committee be constituted immediately, to be headed by the health secretary, in connection with an incident of alleged sexual harassment of the contractual worker at a Burari hospital, asking the CS to submit an action taken report within six hours.
Bharadwaj further stated that it becomes important to explain that yesterday the dark-rider (messenger) was sent along with the urgent UO note to the residence of chief secretary Naresh Kumar. "However, the staff at the residence of Naresh Kumar did not accept the Urgent Official note saying that they have instructions not to accept any note. After that, the note was sent to the chief secretary through e-mail ID and the note also was physically delivered at the residence of chief secretary Naresh Kumar this morning," he said.
"After the recent amendment in the GNCTD Act by the Central Government, there is no control of the elected Delhi Government on the officers. The officers are only accountable to the Lieutenant Governor. Whenever any untoward incident, the questions are asked from the elected government, however, all the control over the officer lies with the LG." Bharadwaj added.
The health minister stated that what was reported from the Burari Hospital was very shocking and it required immediate action by the Government machinery.
"This is very unfortunate that even in the case of such high sensitivity where allegations have been leveled by the women workers against their manager about seeking sexual favors, the chief secretary chose not to respond to the urgent note sent to him," he added.
Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor has hit back at Bharadwaj saying the health minister is unnecessarily blaming the chief secretary. "Bharadwaj himself responded after 48 hours. This reflects how he is sensitive," Kapoor added.
