A woman employee has accused an Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) at the Nelamangala RTO of repeated sexual harassment. The Madanayakanahalli police registered an FIR on August 18 against ARTO Rajkumar under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The complainant, a 48-year-old motor vehicle inspector, alleged that Rajkumar would stare at her inappropriately on several occasions. According to the FIR, he once suggested that she should “come to an adjustment” if she wanted a favorable posting.
On August 18, Rajkumar allegedly summoned her to his chamber and asked her to remove the jacket she wore over her official uniform. The woman said she offered to take it off in her own room and return, but Rajkumar insisted otherwise. Feeling harassed, she lodged a formal complaint.
In response, Rajkumar released a video statement denying the allegations and describing the incident as a “misunderstanding.” He claimed his intention was only to ensure that staff showed respect to their official dress code. “The government has given them a uniform to perform their duty. I only told her that wearing a jacket over it did not look appropriate. I never asked her to remove it in my office,” he said.
The case has now been taken up for investigation. Authorities are expected to examine both the complaint and Rajkumar’s defense before proceeding further.