The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment at Workplace (FOSPPAH) dismissed a junior clerk from service after establishing charges of sexual harassment against him in a federal government organisation.
The ombudsperson imposed a fine of Rs 1 million on the clerk. The ruling directs Rs 800,000 of the total fine to go to the complainant as compensation, while the remaining Rs 200,000 will be deposited into the national treasury.
The case stems from an incident on November 14, 2025. The complainant, an assistant private secretary in the organisation, stated that the junior clerk entered her office and made unwelcome sexual advances towards her.
According to her testimony, the clerk pushed her against the wall and forcibly covered her mouth during the encounter.
The complainant reported the incident immediately to her senior officer, the deputy director of administration. The organisation initially conducted an internal departmental inquiry into the matter. The internal inquiry exonerated the clerk and dismissed the complaint.
Following the dismissal of her complaint by the internal committee, the employee approached FOSPPAH for redressal. The ombudsperson initiated proceedings and provided both parties the opportunity to present arguments and evidence.
During the hearings, witness statements corroborated that the complainant reported the incident promptly to management. Witnesses also verified the mental distress of the complainant following the incident.
The ombudsperson found the testimony of the complainant credible and supported by corroborating evidence. The tribunal determined that the allegations met the legal standard for sexual harassment under the law and issued the order for dismissal alongside the financial penalty.
