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A complaint filed by a woman forest officer in Thiruvananthapuram against three senior colleagues, alleging sexual advances, has triggered a long-standing feud within the Kerala Forest Department, leading to accusations of a smear campaign and retaliatory actions.

 

Despite multiple departmental inquiries, transfers, suspensions, and interventions from the Kerala High Court and human rights bodies, the issue remains unresolved.

 

The controversy began in 2019 when the officer, known for her wildlife rescue efforts, lodged a complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) against Divisional Forest Officer (Flying Squad) KS Justin Stanley, Special Forest Officer (Control Room) Jayakumar, and Range Forest Officer (Control Room) Jagadeesh.

 

She alleged that they made inappropriate advances under the pretext of investigating complaints against her regarding the Eco-Tourism Centre in Kallar. “When I rejected them, the harassment and blackmail began,” she stated. She has requested anonymity for this report.

 

In 2021, the ICC, led by Neethu Lakshmi IFS, found Justin and Jayakumar guilty under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, and recommended disciplinary action.

 

The committee's report stated that Justin admitted to making baseless accusations against the complainant and attempting to coerce her into private meetings, even offering her money.

 

The case was subsequently referred to Vithura police. However, Justin and Jayakumar approached the Kerala High Court to quash the FIR. Following a compromise, the complainant informed the court that she did not wish to proceed, and the FIR was quashed.

 

Following the ICC report, the woman officer claimed she faced continued threats and retaliation. In November 2023, a local resident, Anilkumar, accused her of using a casteist slur during a meeting.

 

Acting on an inquiry report by Thiruvananthapuram Flying Squad Range Officer Renjith Kumar, submitted to Flying Squad DFO Heeralal, the department initiated disciplinary proceedings.

 

She was transferred from Paruthippally to Kulathuppuzha Range, nearly 100 kilometres from her residence, and later to Kottur on orders from Neethu Lakshmi.

 

Based on the inquiry findings, Neethu Lakshmi ordered the recovery of her uniform allowance and recommended a police investigation.

 

The case was later handed over to Nedumangad DySP, who submitted a report to the SC/ST Special Court in September 2024, concluding that Anilkumar’s complaint was fabricated.

 

Amid these developments, the woman officer took seven months of medical leave due to mental distress. “Even after resuming duty, they attempted to withhold my salary and allowances. Despite the police report clearing me, the DFO refused to reinstate me to Paruthippally as I did not entertain his personal interests,” she alleged.

 

She has since filed complaints with the State Human Rights Commission and the Kerala State Women’s Commission, further alleging that colleagues had sent anonymous letters to tarnish her reputation.

 

In November 2024, Anilkumar filed another complaint, accusing the officer of pressuring him to withdraw his previous claims.

 

He alleged that she threatened to commit suicide and implicate him and the investigating officers in a note. Inquiry officer Renjith Kumar recommended disciplinary action against her in his report to DFO Heeralal.

 

When contacted, Renjith maintained that he was fulfilling his duties. “I was investigating complaints and submitting reports. There were several allegations against her, and this was just one among them. I will continue to probe the cases against her,” he said.

 

Heeralal declined to comment, stating that he would handle the matter through legal proceedings.

 

In December 2024, the Kerala Women’s Commission directed the Forest and Wildlife Department, the Women and Child Development Department, and the office of the Forest Minister to conduct a fair investigation and take stringent action against those responsible for the harassment, based on the woman officer’s complaint.

 

“The complaint indicates that the woman officer endured various forms of harassment from her superiors, with indirect support from higher-ranking women officials,” the commission noted in its order.

 

The commission pointed out that even senior IFS officers had supported such actions and called for a detailed investigation.

 

It urged exemplary departmental action against the accused and stressed the importance of ensuring a safe and fair working environment for the complainant.

 

Additionally, the commission recommended that the government revoke the transfer order against the woman officer, issued on the basis of a "fake complaint," and withdraw the disciplinary actions taken against her. Following this, the government transferred Renjith on 8 February 2025.

 

Renjith contested this decision before the Kerala Administrative Tribunal, arguing that the Women’s Commission’s report was biased.

 

“The commission only considered the complainant’s statements and ignored our concerns. The police report in her favour cannot be relied upon as the court has not accepted it. She also refused to file a complaint within the department and instead approached the commission. There are multiple complaints against her, including failing to wear her uniform, financial mismanagement, unauthorised media interviews, and sharing wildlife rescue videos on social media,” he told the media.

 

On 3 March, the tribunal stayed his transfer for two weeks. Meanwhile, the woman officer approached the National Commission for Women (NCW) for further intervention.

 

Two days later, Renjith was suspended to ensure a fair investigation, as per the Women’s Commission’s recommendation. However, the tribunal stayed his suspension, a decision that was later upheld by the Kerala High Court.

 

Following this, he was reinstated.

 

The woman officer’s mother has also approached the state government multiple times, alleging that senior officials were harassing her daughter and spreading false information to tarnish her reputation.

 

She further claimed that Renjith and other officers visited her home and obtained her signature on a blank sheet without disclosing its purpose.

 

Forest Minister A K Saseendran stated that he was aware of the matter and had directed officials to take appropriate action.

 

“Everyone has the right to file complaints and seek legal remedies for workplace issues. The woman officer has taken the legal route, and I have instructed the department to follow proper procedures and act according to the law,” he said.

 

As the case continues, it underscores the challenges faced by women officers in government institutions, the alleged misuse of departmental power, and the urgent need for a transparent mechanism to address workplace harassment claims.