Senior IAS officer Biswanath Sinha, who was removed from a key post allegedly after there were complaints of inappropriate behaviour filed by women IAS officers, has sought three months leave from service. Meanwhile, Biswanath Sinha has denied the allegations saying that it was unsubstantiated and that he had never done anything inappropriate.
Biswanath Sinha who was the General Administration secretary was recently degraded to the post of secretary of printing and stationery and sainik welfare departments. As per reports, this comes after complaints were filed by women IAS officers about alleged inappropriate behaviour by the officer.
As per PTI, the 1992 batch officer has applied for leave and has not been attending office.
Reportedly, five women IAS officers, including two trainee officers, had complained against Biswanath Sinha for behaving inappropriately with them. It has been alleged that the officer send lewd texts through WhatsApp from his official number to the complainants.
The Congress party had on Thursday demanded that a case be registered against Biswanath Sinha on the allegations.
On Thursday, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) secretary Joythikumar Chamakkala had alleged that the Chief Minister’s Office was trying to protect the IAS officer. Joythikumar had alleged that following complaints from two trainee women IAS officers, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie had earlier informed the CMO about the issue, but he states that no action was taken then.
Following this, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told media that he will look into the allegations and that action will be taken by CMO if such matters come to notice. Chief Minister had also said that no written complaints were given to him on the matter.
Reportedly, there are also plans to appoint the officer as the resident commissioner of Kerala House after he comes from leave, reports the Times of India.
(With inputs from PTI)
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