Delhi Health Minister Accuses Chief Secretary of Ignoring Probe into Hospital Molestation Allegations

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has accused Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar of not responding to a request to form a committee to investigate alleged molestation of female workers at a Delhi government hospital. The ministers directive came after a woman working at Burari Government Hospital accused her manager and three supervisors of molesting her and two other employees.

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has accused Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar of failing to respond to a note requesting the formation of a committee to investigate alleged molestation of women workers at a Delhi government hospital. The minister's allegations have been refuted by the chief secretary's office, which claims to have submitted an action taken report (ATR) on the matter.

Background of the Allegations

On Sunday, Bharadwaj directed Kumar to establish an inquiry committee to look into allegations of molestation of women contractual workers at Burari Government Hospital. The minister sought an ATR from the chief secretary within six hours of receiving the note. A woman working as a housekeeping staff on a contract basis at the hospital has accused her manager and three supervisors of molesting and harassing her and two other employees.

Bharadwaj's Criticism

Bharadwaj expressed shock over the reported incidents at Burari Hospital and emphasized the need for immediate action by the government. He criticized the chief secretary for not responding to the urgent note, questioning the safety of women when the chief secretary fails to act promptly on such sensitive allegations.

Chief Secretary's Office Responds

The chief secretary's office refuted Bharadwaj's allegations, stating that Kumar had submitted the ATR on the allegations raised by the women workers of the hospital. The report reportedly contains a pointwise response to every issue raised in the note. The office also expressed surprise over the ruling Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) official handle on Twitter posting Bharadwaj's note within the six-hour deadline.

Concerns over Leaked Report

Bharadwaj later raised concerns about a section of the media claiming to have received the ATR from the chief secretary. He asserted that the leaking of the ATR to the media raises doubts about the political neutrality of the chief secretary and called for strict disciplinary action against him and the officers involved.

Impact on Police Investigation

Bharadwaj expressed concerns that the leaked ATR report, which includes the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) report, could create bias and prejudice against the complainants and potentially hinder the ongoing police investigation.

Accusations of Official Note Sharing

The health minister further accused the chief secretary's office and the vigilance department of sharing official notes with the media for several months. He criticized this practice and called for accountability and adherence to proper procedures.

The allegations and counter-allegations between the Delhi Health Minister and the Chief Secretary's office have highlighted concerns over the handling of sensitive issues, transparency, and accountability in the government. The incident has sparked a debate on the importance of ensuring the safety of women and addressing allegations of sexual harassment promptly and effectively.