Congress leader accused of sexual harassment of Narayankhed BC hostel inmates

Students of Narayankhed BC Girls Hostel accused former Congress councillor Rajesh Chawan of sexual harassment and misconduct. Parents backed their complaint. Police registered a case and will inspect the hostel on Tuesday to record statements from the students.

Sangareddy: Serious allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct have emerged from the BC Residential Girls Hostel in Narayankhed, with students and their parents accusing a Congress leader, who is also the warden’s son, of repeated inappropriate behaviour.

In a complaint lodged with the Narayankhed police on Monday night, the students alleged that Rajesh Chawan, son of hostel warden Sarada and a former Congress councillor of Narayankhed municipality, had been routinely entering the hostel, touching them inappropriately and taking photographs of them while they were asleep.

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Despite multiple instances, no action was taken by Sarada or the hostel staff, allegedly due to Rajesh’s political influence. According to the complaint, he often entered the premises in an inebriated state, leaving the inmates, students of nearby polytechnic and degree colleges, traumatised and fearful.

Students also claimed that hostel workers Lakshmi and Renuka verbally abused them when they tried to raise complaints against Rajesh. The issue came to light after the girls shared their ordeal with their parents, who then joined them in filing the complaint.

The police have registered a case and are preparing to summon warden Sarada for questioning. An inspection of the hostel is scheduled for Tuesday to record statements from the students.