01-08-2025
Asim Arun's personal secy suspended after harassment complaint
Lucknow: Jaikishan Singh, the personal secretary (PS) to
Uttar Pradesh
social welfare minister Asim Arun, was suspended on Friday—a day after he was booked for sexual harassment of a woman employee at the department's headquarters.
According to the FIR, the survivor, a contractual staffer at Bhagedari Bhawan in Lucknow, accused Singh of repeated sexual misconduct, including two recent instances of inappropriate physical contact. Breaking down before the minister, she recounted incidents that took place on July 28 and four to five days prior, alleging prolonged harassment.
Minister Arun, upon hearing the complaint, immediately summoned the police to his office.
Singh was taken into custody on the spot and later suspended. Arun also recommended a full administrative inquiry through the state secretariat.
"Law doesn't stop at the road—it applies inside offices too," the minister said, praising the woman's courage in speaking up. "No one is above the law—not even my own PS."
A former IPS officer, Arun added that the govt will now strictly enforce the POSH Act and Vishaka Guidelines across departments.
He also announced a new "Outsourcing Corporation" under CM Yogi Adityanath to address broader structural issues affecting outsourced workers.
However, Arun cautioned against linking sexual harassment to outsourcing alone. "This is a gendered crime. The nature of employment does not determine the seriousness of the offence," he said, promising increased awareness campaigns and stronger internal complaint mechanisms.
