Serious allegations of sexual harassment have surfaced at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), where four female employees working under Team SHINE have accused a former army officer, serving as the team leader, and two male colleagues of misconduct and harassment.
The complainants allege that the accused officer created a hostile work environment by exerting undue pressure and engaging in inappropriate behaviour. The affected women approached BMC Additional Commissioner Subhendu Sahu and Deputy Commissioner N. Ganesh Babu on Tuesday to lodge their complaints. However, they claim that their concerns were dismissed, and instead of taking action against the accused, the officials allegedly blamed them.
The women further stated that their complaints were not taken seriously, raising questions about the BMC’s commitment to addressing workplace harassment. Team SHINE, tasked with monitoring sanitation in the BMC area, has been contracted by the corporation for its services. However, this is not the first time concerns have been raised about the team’s conduct or operational methods. The current allegations involve claims of sexual harassment by the former army officer and two male employees, prompting outrage among the affected women.
In response to the complaints, BMC Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil formed an investigation committee, led by Additional Commissioner Subhendu Sahu, to probe the matter. A report was submitted on Tuesday, but details of its findings and any potential actions against the accused remain undisclosed. BMC officials have been tight-lipped, with many claiming ignorance or redirecting responsibility to others.
Commissioner Patil stated, “An investigation is underway by the All-Women Committee, and further comments can only be made after the report is reviewed.” He added that he was unaware of specific details or the timeline of the complaints.
Deputy Commissioner N. Ganesh Babu also distanced himself, stating he had limited knowledge of the issue and directed inquiries to Additional Commissioner Sahu. Despite repeated attempts, Sahu remained unavailable for comment, leaving uncertainty about the investigation’s progress and accountability.
Shockingly, Mayor Sulochana Das has reportedly not been informed about the allegations, further highlighting the lack of transparency within the BMC.
The apparent attempt to suppress the issue has fueled concerns that the complainants may not receive justice. The women’s allegations and the BMC’s alleged inaction raise questions about workplace safety and accountability in the corporation.
As the investigation continues, the lack of clarity regarding the report’s findings and the steps forward has left the complainants and observers sceptical about whether justice will be served. The incident underscores the need for stricter measures to ensure a safe working environment for women in public institutions like the BMC.
