Ombudsman orders removal of BISE Larkana chairman over harassment

Nasim Memon had earlier lost his job as Hyderabad Public School principal on similar charges

HYDERABAD:

The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Larkana Chairman Nasim Ahmed Memon has lost his job for the second time after being found guilty of harassing a female teacher of Public School Hyderabad (PSH) during his stint as the principal in 2017.

The Provincial Ombudsman Sindh on November 24 ordered Memon's removal from his position besides imposing Rs300,000 fine on him, payable to the complainant Shagufta Shah.

According to the order, it was established during the hearing that Memon had "harassed, intimidated and caused mental agony" to that school teacher when he was principal of the PSH, city's largest school in terms of area which sprawls around 120 acres of land with a hostel facility in Latifabad.

The punishment has been given under sections 4 (4) (ii) C and E of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010. The provisions pertain to removal from service and fine.

Shah had lodged the complaint in that regard in 2017 through advocate Sajjad Ahmed Chandio, which resulted in Memon's resignation in August, 2017, after commissioner Hyderabad Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo conducted an inquiry.

Back then, another teacher of PSH, Kausar Sultana had also submitted an identical complaint against Memon. On March 28, 2017, a complaint was also filed against the ex-principal with the women police in Hyderabad.

Both these teachers were serving on a BPS-17 post. The ombudsman noted in the order that the BISE's chairman used to send objectionable text and video messages to the teacher. It was also observed that the former principal used to send her messages on Whatsapp and Facebook messenger after working hours, particularly in the evening or at night from his cell phone number 03003444473.

Shah had also shown one of such messages to The Express Tribune. "I will make you my b---h ... go to hell f--k you ... you wh--e," read that message sent over Facebook messenger on July 26, 2017. She had claimed that Memon began making advances soon after his appointment in April, 2016. According to her, he also made her vice principal of the junior section.

"... the accused hasn't challenged the allegations levelled by the complainant during her cross-examination," the order underlined. The ombudsman ordered the Sindh government to deduct the fine from Memon's salary and benefits and to pay the same within 30 days. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has also been directed to block his national identity card until the fine is recovered.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2023.