The director of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Maharashtra’s Nagpur has been arrested after four women employees accused him of molestation and religious coercion, police said.
Police Inspector Haresh Kalsekar of Mankapur Police Station said a group of complainants approached the police on Saturday, prompting swift action against the accused. “Four girls came to us the day before yesterday to file a complaint. They work for an NGO named Universal Multipurpose Society. The director of this NGO is Riyaz Fazil Qazi,” Kalsekar told the news agency ANI.
Allegations of harassment and coercion
According to Kalsekar, one of the complainants alleged she was harassed by the accused a few years ago, while others claimed he attempted to impose religious practices on them against their will.
“One of the complainants said that the person had harassed her two to three years ago on her birthday. Other girls said that he used to force information about Muslim customs on them even though they did not want to hear it,” he said, the news agency reported.
Remarks about employees spark complaint
Kalsekar further revealed that the accused had allegedly made remarks about the character of female employees while speaking to a parent.
“The accused called the mother of one of the girls who left the job eight days ago and made remarks about the character of other girls working there. After that, all the girls gathered and approached us to file a complaint,” he added, the news agency reported.
Arrest and police custody
“After the complaint was filed, an investigation was initiated. On the same day, the accused was arrested and produced before a court, which granted police custody till April 23,” Kalsekar stated.
Legal action and ongoing probe
Police have invoked relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the IT Act. So far, four victims have been identified, and officials indicated that more may come forward as the investigation progresses.
NGO background
The NGO reportedly works for the education of underprivileged children from labour-class families. Police said further details are likely to emerge as the probe continues.
(With ANI inputs)