Official booked for sexually harassing 'heir' of last Malerkotla begum

The police here have booked an official of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Archives Museum in a sexual harassment case lodged by an “heir” of Begum Munawwar-un-Nissa, the wife of the last Nawab of Malerkotla Iftikhar Ali Khan.

The accused has been identified as Raman Khaira, a senior assistant at the directorate.

The FIR was registered on the basis of a legal opinion sought by the police on an inquiry conducted by the SP (D) Malerkotla in pursuance of orders of SSP Gagan Ajit Singh.

The woman, who currently resides at Mubarak Manzil Palace, had alleged that Khaira sought sexual favours from her in exchange for facilitating the release of pending ₹1.2 crore from the government for the transfer of the royal property.

“If findings of the case in hand recorded by the inquiry officer are based on facts, on the basis of inquiry report, the present matter falls within the purview of sexual harassment,” read the opinion submitted by the legal officer.