Arjuna Awardee paramilitary officer faces dismissal over sexual harassment charges
Khajan Singh, a top Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer, is facing potential dismissal due to sexual harassment allegations by multiple women. Singh has been issued a notice of dismissal after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approved the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)'s recommendation to remove him. The final orders will be issued after taking into consideration the response obtained from the accused officer within 15 days, PTI reported.
Singh previously denied the allegations
Singh has yet to comment on the recent developments surrounding his potential dismissal. However, he has previously refuted the allegations of sexual harassment, labeling them as "absolutely false." The former chief sports officer of the CRPF further claimed that these accusations were an attempt to tarnish his reputation. He is facing two counts, and in one of them, a dismissal notice has been issued.
Multiple complaints against Singh
A woman filed a complaint against Singh and a coach nearly 10 years ago, alleging sexual harassment and intimidation. Another woman also spoke out against Singh before an internal complaints committee. In 2018, a wrestler from the CRPF filed a complaint with the Delhi Police against Singh, alleging that she was blackmailed and threatened that certain images of her taken in secret would be exposed if she spoke out. However, Singh was acquitted after the complaint was withdrawn.
He was awarded Arjuna Award in 1984
Before becoming CRPF chief sports officer, Singh was an international-level swimmer who competed for India in the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 1988 Olympics, winning a silver medal at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. In 1984, he also received India's second-highest athletic accolade, the Arjuna Award. Currently, he runs the Khajan Singh Swimming Academy in Delhi.
