Rights panel member complains of harassment against colleague

A research officer working with Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has complained to the chairman of the commission alleging that Bhagwant More, a member of the commission, had caused her immense mental harassment by 'boycotting' her. The complainant, Dr Jayashri Patil, said she still awaits justice.

In her complaint letter to the chairman of the commission (dna has a copy), Justice SR Bannurmath, Patil has alleged that More, former additional director general of police, had caused her immense mental harassment by insulting her and 'boycotting' her. According to her, this kind of treatment was meted to her because she belongs to the Dalit community. Patil has been working with the commission since 2007.

"Since I am a Dalit, More has humiliated me, which amounts to immense mental torture. Recently, I had gone to meet the chairman in his cabin to discuss a suo motu case, where More was present. More asked the constable to tell me to leave the room," the letter read.

The letter also mentioned that whenever Patil had approached More for some work, she was asked by his peon to wait outside. In fact, More never met her ever since he joined the commission. "I have received high education and have been performing my duty as a research officer with due diligence," the letter stated and it requested the chairman to take adequate action in this regard.

It further requested More not to put pressure on Patil and stop the boycott on her. "I am still waiting for a reply from the commission," Patil said. When dna contacted More, he said he is not aware of the details of the complaints. "I am yet to see the complaint. Only after that will I be in a position to comment on this," he said.