Author: Pradip R Sagar
Published Date: Mar 8, 2015 6:00 AM
Last Updated: Mar 8, 2015 5:10 AM
A 25 years old Junior Research Fellow has filed a complaint against D Majumdar, additional director of DIPAS, of making sexual advances.
NEW DELHI: After well known environmental scientist Dr R K Pachauri faces allegations of sexual harassment by his junior woman colleague, a senior scientist of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),the country’s premier defence research body, too is facing similar charges by a junior researcher.
A 25 year old Junior Research Fellow has accused 59 year old Dr D Majumdar, the additional director of the DRDO’s Delhi based Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), of sexually harassing her. Taking cognizance of the woman’s complaint, Majumdar has been shunted out in ‘public interest’ following the recommendations of a high level committee, which was set up by the DRDO, to look into the allegations
According to official sources, the woman, who joined DIPAS in December last year, filed a complaint with the head of the organisation in February. In her complaint to Dr Shashi Bala Singh, Director, DIPAS, the woman accused Majumdar of making sexual advances towards her and she also sought her transfer from the particular group of Ergonomics. The woman alleged that Majumdar used to sexually harass her on his office premises. Over 40 other fellow researchers also came in support of the woman complainant and gave their representation against Majumdar. Subsequently her complaint was forwarded to the DRDO headquarters and a five member committee headed by Hina Gokhale, Director HRD of the DRDO, was formed to look into the allegations, as per the Vishakha Guidelines formulated by the Supreme Court.
Majumdar, who is retiring by the end of 2015, has been transferred to a Gwalior based laboratory where he has been directed to report by March 16. When contacted, Majumdar defended himself and said that the allegation was a conspiracy. “I completely denied such allegations and it is a conspiracy to defame me. Surprisingly, hours after appearing before the committee on March 3, I received my transfer orders from the headquarters,” said Majumdar, Scientist G of the DRDO, which is equivalent to a Joint Secretary rank officer. While deposing before the committee, he reportedly handed over six testimonials from junior scientists in his favour.
However, the complainant didn’t comment. When contacted, Dr. Shashi Bala Singh said, “I will not be able to make any comment on it. Please contact my headquarters.”
But DRDO Spokesperson Ravi Gupta said, “We (DRDO) follows strict regulations, whenever such allegations come out in the department. Since in this matter, a committee is already constituted and looking into the matter, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on its proceedings.”
Experiment with Controversies DIPAS was recently in the news for carrying out a study for faster deployment of troops for high altitude operations in case of war like situation, which was rubbished by the Indian Army. In fact, army severely criticised the methods adopted by the DIPAS scientists to collect data sample for its study. DIPAS was set up after the Indo China war in 1962 with the thrust area identification of high altitude physiology, nutrition and biochemistry of human in and also with the urgent need felt for ergonomic assessment of workstations and machine interface. The laboratory carries out various researches and studies to look into the aspect of high altitude warfare.
The complained against Dr Majumder was definitely framed against him by Ak-sbs duo utilizing the girl. This surfaced when Dr Majumder took a farm stand against the irregularities done by SBS . specially the charge sheet issued by Dr GAKhan by removing important document from file in which Dr Majumder was a key witness.secondly, SBS feared that if Majumder is in DIPAS then he will exposed all the corruption done by SBS. We all knew that this is framed.
40 (JRF+scientist) singed in a blank paper unknowingly keeping them in dark. This was done by Anti group. This also against the CCS rules. Now DIPAS is going to be political science leaving by high altitude research by SBS
Yes it is correct that 40 (JRF+scientist) singed in a blank paper unknowingly keeping them in dark and this campaign was lead by Dr/Ms PRASAD DIPTI 5th march born under the guidance of Dr Shashi Bala Singh, Director, DIPAS, Sister of Dr A K Singh, DOP and daughter of Ex Delhi Police Officer. Interestingly no women cell DIPAS involve neither Chairman D/Ms SARKAR SOMA nor member D/Ms SURYA KUMARI PS only great Dr. GUPTA ASHEESH 1st June Born played the key role, why everyone knows, nobody knows the ego heights of DRDO lab Directors.
Yes Asish Gupta ,a male played key role as women and he singed the complain in women harrasment. This very very interesting part of the game.
Dr Prasad right hand of SSB, also involved in illegal work in office by doing campaign which is against CCS rule. I think need deep investigation. then truth will come.
CCS Rule is father’s property of DRDO so that they are use this rule on only group C & D employee they are not support to corrupt officer so that ccs rule only for safety tools of corrupt DRDO officer only.
Out of the 40 researchers about 32 were Research Fellows who did not know Dr Majumdar personally. They were not even present in the day of incidence. Without knowing a person personally and without being present in the crime scene how could anyone give representation ? It is ridiculous to think that anyone of his (Dr D. Majumdar, Sc-‘G’) stature would make passes or sexual advances at a lady whom he didn’t know well and who was not under his direct control and spoil a spotless career just like that.
God bless you people. At least all human beings are not donkeys!
Guys do not bray with the bro-sis duo!
Law certainly has been breached over here. It’s highly vital at this point that instead of taking such strict actions against one party so severely, the committee must look into the ulterior motives hidden in the case. Personal issues and grudges tend to darken such plots. The ‘high level committee’ should stop behaving high headedly and rather quickly decide as to who is actually the victim and who, the accused. Because justice delayed is justice denied.
INMAS and DIPAS are known for such instances. please don’t try to defend corrupt and pervert scientist.