Arjuna awardee CRPF officer served second removal notice from service over sex abuse charges
May 13, 2024
New Delhi [India], May 13 : The Central Reserve Police (CRPF) has issued a second removal order against one of its high-ranking officers after he was found guilty of sexual harassment, official sources said.
The first such order was issued last month based on recommendations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank chief sports officer of the CRPF, Khajan Singh, is accused of sexually harassing women personnel in the paramilitary force, sources said.
After the women's allegations, the CRPF conducted an investigation and determined his guilt last month.
Subsequently, the largest paramilitary force in the country submitted a report to the UPSC, prompting the MHA to request his dismissal.
"The CRPF has issued a second dismissal order of Khajan Singh in a sexual harassment case," an official source told ANI.
The CRPF had earlier conducted an inquiry into the officer's conduct, followed legal procedures, and submitted a report to the UPSC, said the sources. "The UPSC subsequently advised first dismissal, a decision endorsed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The CRPF issued the first dismissal notice accordingly," a senior officer earlier confirmed.
Before assuming the role of CRPF chief sports officer, Khajan Singh achieved a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly event at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games. This marked India's first swimming medal at the event since 1951.
Khajan Singh, currently stationed in Mumbai, has yet to provide a statement and has been granted 15 days to respond to the dismissal notice. He faced two charges, with dismissal proceedings initiated in one case. The investigation into the other case is ongoing. Previously, he refuted the allegations as "absolutely false," claiming they were intended to tarnish his reputation.
The CRPF, boasting about 3.25 lakh personnel, initially integrated women into combat ranks in 1986. It now comprises six all-women battalions, totalling 8,000 personnel. Additionally, women serve in sports and various administrative capacities within the force.
