NCW Chief condemns harassment of B'luru woman at Delhi airport

The National Commission for Women (NCW) Chief today condemned the incident in which a woman from Bengaluru was allegedly harassed by an immigration officer at the Delhi airport.

"First I would like to apologise (to her) on behalf of Indian Government, though I am just a part of it, a small cog in the very big wheel. But the entire incident which has happened is shameful and the officer should be suspended," said NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam.

The woman has alleged that the immigration officer at the Delhi airport has asked her some sexually explicit questions when she was flying to Hong Kong via Delhi on March 18.

The Commission also took suo motu cognizance of the matter and Kumaramangalam said she would write to revenue officials in Bengaluru and the immigration authorities recommending action against the officer.

"How could he ask such questions when there is a format in place. This immigration officer must be taken to task. He should be suspended," said Kumaramanagalam.

The incident has come to light with the woman's family filing a complaint with the immigration authorities via e-mail, after which the Home Ministry placed the officer under suspension. PTI PLB SMN 03271956