Sexual harassment complaint: Railway women employees in Tiruchy division summoned for inquiry

It is said, on September 18, eighteen grade IV women employees lodged a complaint with the DRM, Tiruchy, against V Manivannan, a senior section engineer from Mayiladuthurai section belonging to Tiruchy Railway division. The women alleged that he was in the habit of seeking sexual favour from women and ill- treating them.

Manivanan who is an office-bearer of SRMU, had compelled the lower grade workers to attend to the union meetings compulsorily.

The complaint had also stated that the engineer would sometimes visit his women colleagues out of duty hours and use abusive words against them. The women had approached the police to file a complaint against Manivannan but the police had not paid any heed. Subsequently, they lodged a complaint with the DRM, Tiruchy, who forwarded it to the railway board.

On Friday, the railway board recommended the women workers to undergo a preliminary inquiry before the Railway personnel officer on September 25.

Meanwhile, Manoharan DREU functionary, urged the DRM either to suspend or transfer Manivannan before commencing the inquiry.