Sexual harassment case against Central Excise Chief Commissioner - High Court seeks report

By Vijay Kumar

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, has asked the Union Government to submit a report of inquiry and details of proceedings conducted by a committee on 'Sexual harassment of women at workplace' along with the action-taken report by the Ministry on the findings of Committee's report, on a complaint filed by Ms. F M Jaiswal, Commissioner, Central Excise, alleging sexual harassment by controversial Chief Commissioner, Kailash Sethi. She had filed a complaint of sexual harassment on August 7, 2003, to the Union Revenue Secretary, who referred the matter to the committee on sexual harassment, headed by Joint Secretary (Administration). After examination of witnesses of both petitioners and respondents, the committee concluded its hearing in June last year. She was not given a copy of committee findings and the action taken by the ministry on the findings. After sending several reminders, she filed a petition in the High Court, which issued notice to the Union of India and Central Board of Excise and Customs.

Mr. Sethi, as the ADG, CEIB, is said to be responsible for phone tapping which ultimately led to the arrest of Mr. Someshwar, another Chief Commissioner. His unceremonious exit from EIB, even raised a question in Parliament and the Finance Minister had to clarify that his transfer was in public interest. Earlier Sethi was accused of assaulting the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.