Woman forest guard accuses senior officer of sexual harassment in Rajasthan; departmental probe ordered

A woman forest guard at Rajasthan’s Mukundra Tiger Hills Reserve accuses a senior officer of sexual harassment, sparking a departmental probe and internal transfers.

A woman forest guard in Rajasthan’s Mukundra Tiger Hills Reserve has accused her senior colleague of sexual harassment, prompting the state forest department to order a departmental inquiry.

According to the official complaint filed by the woman officer to the Deputy Conservator of Forest, she has been facing sexual harassment from a range forest officer in Kolipura Range, Mukundra Tiger Hills Reserve, since the transfer of two other female colleagues in April last year. Since the transfer, she became the only woman officer working there, and the range officer’s behaviour “changed significantly”, the complaint said.

“I was subjected to unnecessary harassment and humiliation over minor issues. The officer used objectionable gestures, obscene remarks, and innuendos, creating an uncomfortable and hostile work environment,” she said, adding that she was assigned responsibilities beyond her role, denied leave requests, and called late into work “without any official reason”.

According to her complaint, the woman officer was working alone with the senior officer in January this year when the latter “asked me to get a file from the back-secluded office”.

“While I was searching for the file, he came to the room and held my hand, trying to kiss me. I took out my slipper and was about to hit him when another forest guard heard my screams and came into the room. He immediately ran away from there,” the complaint said, adding that while she shared her concerns with higher-ups and even sought intervention, the situation never changed.

No police complaint has been filed in the case.

When contacted, Kolipura Deputy Conservator of Forests Muthu Somasundaram said a five-member internal complaints committee has been formed to look into the matter.

“Five women forest officials have been assigned to this committee and are looking into the matter. The statements of the victim and the accused were recorded in April, and we expect the committee’s report to be finalised soon. Meanwhile, the range forest officer has been transferred to the CCF office in Kota, where he will work until a decision is taken. The victim has been transferred to another range. The committee report will be submitted within a month,” said DCF Somasundaram.

Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions. Expertise and Experience Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public. Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas: Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight. Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women. Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use. Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More

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A woman forest guard in Rajasthan’s Mukundra Tiger Hills Reserve has accused her senior colleague of sexual harassment, prompting the state forest department to order a departmental inquiry.

According to the official complaint filed by the woman officer to the Deputy Conservator of Forest, she has been facing sexual harassment from a range forest officer in Kolipura Range, Mukundra Tiger Hills Reserve, since the transfer of two other female colleagues in April last year. Since the transfer, she became the only woman officer working there, and the range officer’s behaviour “changed significantly”, the complaint said.

“I was subjected to unnecessary harassment and humiliation over minor issues. The officer used objectionable gestures, obscene remarks, and innuendos, creating an uncomfortable and hostile work environment,” she said, adding that she was assigned responsibilities beyond her role, denied leave requests, and called late into work “without any official reason”.

According to her complaint, the woman officer was working alone with the senior officer in January this year when the latter “asked me to get a file from the back-secluded office”.

“While I was searching for the file, he came to the room and held my hand, trying to kiss me. I took out my slipper and was about to hit him when another forest guard heard my screams and came into the room. He immediately ran away from there,” the complaint said, adding that while she shared her concerns with higher-ups and even sought intervention, the situation never changed.

No police complaint has been filed in the case.

When contacted, Kolipura Deputy Conservator of Forests Muthu Somasundaram said a five-member internal complaints committee has been formed to look into the matter.

“Five women forest officials have been assigned to this committee and are looking into the matter. The statements of the victim and the accused were recorded in April, and we expect the committee’s report to be finalised soon. Meanwhile, the range forest officer has been transferred to the CCF office in Kota, where he will work until a decision is taken. The victim has been transferred to another range. The committee report will be submitted within a month,” said DCF Somasundaram.