NGO abuse: Cops seek court nod for survivors’ statements

Nagpur: Mankapur police moved court on Monday to seek permission for recording statements of four survivors before a magistrate in the sexual harassment case involving Zingabai Takli-based NGO president Riyaz Fazil Qazi, who is now in police custody.Adding a new dimension to the case, investigators found that a complainant's kin embraced religious practices of another community nearly 10 years ago. The individual is reportedly following dual religious practices, said police.There was initial confusion among investigators whether this person was coerced to convert. However, police clarified the kin voluntarily adopted certain religious practices around a decade ago. The accused, arrested on Saturday, is named in an FIR for sexual harassment, attempting to impose religious practices on employees, hurting religious sentiments and outraging their modesty.On Monday police conducted searches at the office of the NGO, which works for underprivileged children. They seized mobile phones, laptops and several documents. Sources said police have already recorded preliminary statements of the four survivors. However, to make the evidence watertight and admissible in court, they are now pushing for recording statements before a judicial magistrate under Section 183 of the BNSS.While operators of the NGO claim they are genuinely working for welfare of underprivileged children, the case has triggered sharp reactions from various quarters.A section of right-wing activists demanded a thorough investigation by intelligence agencies into funding sources of the NGO and its alleged links to the Shaheen Bagh agitation. Police officials maintained the probe is progressing on multiple fronts.The seized electronic devices and documents are being examined to gather more evidence. The court is expected to fix a date for recording the statements of the four survivors. The developments sparked intense debate in the city, with various communities calling for a fair and transparent probe.