War widow accuses Sainik Welfare Director of sexual harassment

Chandigarh, Dec 26 (UNI) The widow of an Army martyr has alleged in a complaint to the National Commission for Women (NCW) that she was sexually harassed by the Director of Punjab Sainik Welfare Board, under whom she has been working.

Addressing a press conference here today, Ms Raj Kaur accused Brig (retd) J S Jaswal, the Director of the Board, of serious allegations of making advancements towards her in office on several occasions and even approaching her house in Kurali.

The media briefing was organised by All India Anti-terrorist Front president Maninderjit Singh Bitta, who demanded a CBI probe into the matter and a strict action against the Board's Director.

Brig. (retd) Jaswal, on the other hand, has denied the allegations levelled against him in the complaint.

''I am ready for any kind of inquiry and you can ask any of my staff members, including the women, about my behavioural conduct,'' said Brig Jaswal, when he was approached following the press conference.

Ms Raj Kaur, the mother of two children, is the widow of late Hawaldar Gurmail Singh of 13 Field Regiment who died in Operation Rhino in Assam in August 1997.

She stated in her complaint, which she submitted to the NCW on December five, that Brig Jaswal even spoiled her ACR for 2004-05 since she had refused to give in to his wrong advancements.

''When I protested the same, he assured me that he has all the powers to re-write my ACR provided I concede to his demands,'' she stated.

Thereafter, she alleged Brig Jaswal began harassing her in one way or the other personally as well as through her personal assistant (PA) Surinder Kaur.

Brig (retd) Jaswal was appointed the Punjab Sainik Welfare Board Director in May 2003 by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.

UNI PS YA HT1427