No stay in trial: HC extends deadlines in Reny Wilfred sexual harassment petition

DIMAPUR — The Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has granted additional time to both parties in the ongoing writ petition filed by suspended IAS officer Reny Wilfred in connection with a sexual harassment case.

According to an order issued by Justice Rajesh Mazumdar on October 7, the counsel for the petitioner sought two weeks’ time to file a rejoinder affidavit to the affidavit-in-opposition submitted by the respondents.

The court noted that the petitioner had earlier sought time on May 22 and July 22 this year.

Appearing for the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) chairperson and members—respondents in the case—advocate Vrinda Grover also sought two weeks to examine whether an additional affidavit-in-opposition was required to the amended petition filed by Wilfred.

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Granting the requests, the court allowed the respondents to file their affidavit-in-opposition to the amended petition by October 30, if they deem it necessary, while directing the petitioner to submit his rejoinder within two weeks thereafter.

The order further stated that if no fresh affidavit is filed by the respondents by the given date, the petitioner may proceed with his rejoinder based on the affidavits already on record. The matter has been listed for hearing on November 24.

The court also reiterated that the prayer for stay of investigation had become infructuous following the submission of the chargesheet and clarified that no stay is currently operating in the trial court proceedings.

Wilfred, a 2015-batch IAS officer, had earlier moved the High Court seeking to quash an FIR and complaint filed by the Nagaland State Commission for Women alleging sexual harassment during his tenure as Joint Secretary of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN).