Probe Ordered Against Director Health Over ‘Sexual Harassment’

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered time-bound probe against Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Samir Mattoo over serious allegations of sexual harassment leveled by a consultant.

According to reports, on the directions of Lieutenant Governor's Secretariat Office, Health and Medical Education Department has ordered a probe against Mattoo after a female consultant leveled serious charges of sexual harassment against him with the LG's office.

LG's Principal Secretary Nitishwar Kumar, reports said has written to Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner H&ME to get the allegations probed by ‘Internal Complaint Committee' and submit a report within 7 days. He has also stayed the transfer order of the female consultant, who was transferred to SDH Kunzar by the incumbent Director Health without following norms.

The ‘Internal Complaint Committee' which has been constituted to probe into sexual harassment complaints in the Health Department is headed by Satvir Kour Sudan-Director General P&S, H&ME and its members

are Dr Samia Rashid, Principal Government Medical College Srinagar, Dr Reenu Sharma, Director Health Services, Jammu.

Muhammad Iqbal Lone, Under Secretary to Government H&ME in communiqué to Chairperson ‘Complaint Committee' has asked her to probe into the allegations in a time bound manner.

“Madam, I am directed to invite your attention towards the subject about complaint submitted by Consultant MCH regarding sexual harassment against Dr. Samir Mattoo, Director Health Services Kashmir and I request you to enquire the issue in terms of Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) constituted by the H&ME Department vide Government Order No. 818 JK (HME) of 2020 dated 23.10.2020. The complaint along with allied documents, as received, are enclosed for further necessary action,” reads the official communiqué, according to local news agency KNT.