The ministry of home affairs has accepted the Union Public Service Commission’s recommendation to dismiss controversial deputy inspector general (DIG) of CRPF Khajan Singh from the force, sources told News18 on Thursday. The Arjuna Award winner chief sports officer of the Central Reserve Police Force has been given time to present his case, or else the dismissal process will be initiated against him, they added. If Khajan Singh chooses to represent his case, he will be heard, and an appropriate decision will be taken, said the sources.
UPSC recommended the dismissal of Khajan Singh who was facing allegations of sexual assault and harassment, according to the sources. In Group A service cases, the UPSC gives its recommendations on which the disciplinary authority acts.
While top-level sources told News18 that the matter had been communicated to Khajan Singh, he denied receiving any intimation.
“They can carry out dismissal, but have they got any proof against me? They have recommended dismissal on the basis of statements given by a few people. They have no proof,” Singh told News18. “I am sitting in my office. I have to take legal advice. They have no proof against me. Dismissal has been recommended on the basis of three or four statements; they have found no proof.”
The CRPF had already suspended Singh in 2021 after a preliminary inquiry.
Several women constables from the force had complained against Khajan Singh for allegedly sexually harassing, threatening, and misusing his position and power for many years. A Delhi court though acquitted him of rape charges.
Singh was an international-level swimmer who represented India in the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 1988 Olympics, while he won a silver medal at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. In 1984, he received the Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest sporting honour. He runs the Khajan Singh Swimming Academy in Delhi.
Almost 10 years ago, a woman complained against Khajan Singh and a coach, claiming that they sexually harassed and intimidated her, and a case was also filed.
During the hearing of an internal complaints committee, other women also spoke up against Singh.
According to media reports, a CRPF constable said that Khajan Singh had “gone beyond harassment” and was very influential. He would only admit those whom he wanted to target later.
In December 2018, a complaint was filed with Delhi police against Khajan Singh by a wrestler from the CRPF, who alleged that she was blackmailed and threatened that some photos of her taken secretly would be leaked if she spoke out. Later the complaint was withdrawn and Singh was acquitted.
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