The Government of Nagaland has suspended Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Reny Wilfred, amid an ongoing criminal investigation into multiple allegations of sexual assault. The suspension order was issued on Wednesday, May 21, by Chief Secretary J Alam, IAS.
The official order stated that Reny Wilfred, Joint Secretary of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) under the Department of Finance, has been suspended in respect of a criminal offence which is under investigation. The suspension order with immediate effect was issued under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969.
During the period of suspension, Wilfred’s headquarters would be the Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima. The suspension order said he shall not leave the headquarters without obtaining the permission of the Chief Secretary.
Reny Wilfred will be entitled to a subsistence allowance as allowed under the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.
The suspension follows the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Wilfred by the Nagaland Police on April 4. Wilfred, a Kerala native, has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple individuals. The Nagaland State Women Commission (NSWC) had recorded statements of survivors which were forwarded to the police.
After he was booked by Nagaland police for alleged sexual harassment of IDAN employees , Reny Wilfred had alleged that he was being targeted for not helping to topple the state government in 2016-2017.
Previously, in 2020–21, while serving as the first Deputy Commissioner of Noklak district, Wilfred was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly assaulting two minor girls. Though he obtained a temporary stay from the High Court, it was later revoked. In June 2023, his plea to the Supreme Court for a stay was declined, and he was ordered to attend proceedings via video conferencing.
He is also accused of perjury and attempting to undermine the credibility of the victims’ statements and a report submitted by the Khiamniungan Tribal Council (KTC). Wilfred has claimed that the matters were “settled” and has challenged the validity of the testimonies.