Pune: A disturbing case of workplace harassment has emerged from a research and training institute in the Queens Garden area, where a female officer was allegedly harassed by a junior officer through offensive messages shared in a social media group meant for office communication.

Koregaon Park Police have registered a case of harassment against the junior officer involved. The accused has been identified as Sanjeev Katke, a resident of Queens Garden, Koregaon Park.

The complaint was filed by a female officer who has been working as a project manager at the institute on a contractual basis since 2022. Sanjeev Katke works as an assistant project manager in one of the departments of the institute.

On June 13, while the complainant was working, an appeal regarding a scholarship under the Right to Information Act, 2005, was received. The matter in the appeal was related to Katke's department, so the complainant called Katke through an office assistant.

Katke was not present in the office at the time. Later, Katke contacted the complainant and informed her that he was attending a funeral. The complainant informed him about the important administrative letter, suggesting that he should have at least notified the office or sent a message before leaving.

Katke had left the office without any record or prior permission from department heads or project managers. Later that evening, Katke posted a video of the funeral in the office communication group and sent a message in the name of the institute's director, implying that the complainant leaves the office without informing anyone.

The following day, June 14, the complainant questioned Katke about the video and message in the social media group, explaining that she had contacted him for information regarding the administrative letter.

Katke responded by threatening to share all CCTV footage from the office in the group and to monitor and report her activities. This led the complainant to slap Katke in a fit of anger.

Subsequently, the complainant and other female colleagues filed a formal complaint with the institute's director and the internal women's grievance committee.

The complainant alleged that Katke regularly insulted her and monitored her movements, deliberately causing distress. Koregaon Park Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter under the guidance of senior officers.