Brigadier Accused of Sexually Harassing War Widows

Two war widows from Punjab have petitioned the National Commission for Women for help alleging sexual harassment by their superior, Sainik Welfare Board (SWB) chief Brig (retd) JS Jaswal who, in Chandigarh, denied the charge.

The widow of widow of hawaldar Gurmail Singh, a sena medal winner who died in Assam, Ms Raj Kaur was accopanied by the All- India Anti-Terrorist Front chief, Mr Maninderjit Singh Bitta when they submitted a memorandum to NCW chairperson Girija Vyas.

Ms Raj Kaur, a mother of two, said she had joined as a clerk in the Directorate of Sainik Welfare on December 5, 2000, and performed her duties. She alleged that the officer had spoiled her annual confidential report (ACR) for the year 2004-05 when she turned down his sexual advances. 
She alleged that the Brigadier showed her pornographic material. “When I protested, he told me that he had all powers to re-write my ACR provided I concede to his demands,” she stated.

After Ms Raj Kaur went public with her charge at a press conference at Chandigarh last month, more people and ex-servicemen came out in the open alleging sexual misconduct.

Jaswal has however dismissed the allegation with a counter charge that the women accusing him of misbehavior were not above board. The retired Army officer, who is already facing an inquiry by the Chandigarh police, denied the charges.

Bitta also intends to take the two women to meet Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and the wife of Army chief JJ Singh has been demanding a CBI inquiry into the accusations.