Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not suspended administrative officer Irfan Pathan, even six days after police registered a first information report (FIR) accusing him of sexually harassing a female colleague.
Pathan, 55, who was posted at the Municipal Commissioner’s office, was transferred to the environment department shortly after the complaint came to light. Civic officials have indicated that any further action, including suspension, will depend on the findings of the BMC’s POSH committee inquiry.
The 30-year-old complainant, who joined the BMC on compassionate grounds a few months ago, has accused Pathan of repeated harassment, inappropriate behaviour, workplace misconduct, and stalking outside office premises. According to the FIR filed on May 5, he allegedly sent her unwanted letters and messages and issued memos against her without valid reason.
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Azad Maidan police stated that since the offences carry a punishment of less than seven years, Pathan was served a notice and released. An officer noted that he could be arrested later if a court directs it.
The BMC’s POSH committee, formally known as the Internal Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, has initiated its probe and begun questioning eyewitnesses. Officials clarified that the victim did not approach the civic body’s committee directly but lodged the police complaint instead. The committee took up the matter following a reference from the Savitribai Phule Women’s Resource Centre’s Internal Complaints Committee.
A committee official emphasised that suspension remains an administrative decision. Meanwhile, senior civic sources described Pathan as “absconding” based on available information. Another official, speaking anonymously, suggested he may have been admitted to Nair Hospital to avoid arrest.
BMC headquarters staff have claimed that several employees previously encountered issues due to Pathan’s conduct, underlining the need for swift measures to protect other workers, particularly women.
BJP MLC Chitra Wagh, who raised the issue with Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and Mayor Ritu Tawde, has demanded Pathan’s immediate arrest, suspension, and eventual dismissal from service.
The case continues to draw attention as the internal inquiry proceeds alongside the police investigation.