FIR registered against IPS officer for sexual harassment' of 17-year-old girl on her birthday party

Mumbai, Dec 27: A case was registered by Navi Mumbai police on Thursday against an IPS officer for allegedly sexually harassing a 17-year-old girl at her birthday party six months ago.

Taloja Police in the neighbouring city registered a First Information Report against Deputy Inspector General (Motor Transport) Nishikant More under IPC sections 354 (A) (sexual harassment) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

More, who is posted in Pune, was also booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, said a local police official. He is yet to be arrested.

According to the complaint registered by the girl's family, More and the girl's fathers were friends. On June 5 this year, More gatecrashed her birthday party. He also demanded liquor, the complaint said. When the cake was cut and her friends and relatives smeared it on the girl's face, More, who was standing next to her, allegedly scooped it up with his finger and licked it. He repeated this action several times, unmindful that he was touching her inappropriately, the complaint said.

The entire incident was recorded on a mobile phone. When the girl's father confronted More, he sought to downplay it. The girl's family told reporters that since the incident, they were trying to get an FIR registered but the police shielded More.

Based on eye-witness accounts and the video clip of the incident, the police registered a case on Thursday, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Dudhe. No arrest has been made yet, he said, adding that probe is underway.