DCW notices to Delhi Police, Delhi Transport Corporation over alleged suicide attempt by a woman bus marshal

New Delhi: The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) issued notices to Delhi Police and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) in a matter related to the alleged suicide attempt by a woman bus marshal.

The Commission received a complaint from a woman civil defence volunteer wherein she stated that she was deployed as a Bus Marshal in DTC bus service at Subhash Place Depot on May 20, DCW statement stated.

She alleged that after a few days, the bus conductor started forcing her for sexual favours and also took Rs 25,000 from her for her transfer out of the depot. She complained against him to higher officials of the depot, but no action was taken. She further alleged that thereafter, the depot manager and other staff including some bus drivers and conductors started harassing her, it added.

She then approached Delhi Police against the staff and a complaint was registered at Keshavpuram Police Station, after that the depot manager and other staff forced her to make a compromise in the matter. She alleged that the accused persons also gave her death threats, it stated.

On July 20, the depot manager terminated her from the duty. Thereafter she approached the concerned SDM, who after reading her complaints sent her to join the depot again. However, the depot manager and other staff refused to allow her to rejoin and asked her to take back her complaints, it stated.

She alleged that no FIR was filed on her complaint, and no action was taken by higher officials of DTC, after that on August 5 she allegedly tried to attempt suicide as she could not bear any further harassment. Presently, the complainant is admitted in a hospital, DCW statement stated.

The Commission has asked Delhi Police to register an FIR in the matter and provide details of the accused arrested. The Commission has also asked the Delhi Police and DTC to provide details of earlier complaints received from the complainant and action taken thereon.

It has asked DTC whether the matter was referred to Internal Complaints Committee or Local Complaints Committee under the prevention of sexual harassment at workplace law and has asked the copies of relevant documents in the matter.

DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal stated, “Bus Marshals are deployed for the safety of women and girls. In such a scenario, the safety and security of women bus marshals is the responsibility of DTC.”

“The woman bus marshal has made very serious allegations which need to be urgently investigated. An FIR should be filed and the accused should be interrogated. Strict action must be taken against the staff involved in harassment of the survivor,” Maliwal added. (UNI)