Kohima: Several tribal women’s bodies on Friday staged a protest in Kohima and submitted a memorandum seeking a speedy trial in sexual harassment cases involving IAS officer Reny Wilfred.
The protestors marched from Old MLA junction to the Lok Bhavan where a copy of the memorandum was submitted to the governor of Nagaland.
The memorandum, signed by representatives of various women’s organisations comprising Angami, Chakhesang, Chang, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, and Zeliang, alleged that repeated legal challenges filed by the accused have prolonged judicial proceedings and undermined public confidence in the justice delivery system.
The organisations stated that the continued delay in the case, despite the filing of a chargesheet, risks weakening the principles of fair and expeditious justice and could foster a sense of impunity among perpetrators of crimes against women and children.
“Sexual offences, particularly when allegedly committed by individuals holding positions of public trust, violate not only the dignity and rights of survivors but also damage the integrity of public service,” the memorandum stated.
The groups pointed out that Wilfred had earlier been accused of molesting two minor girls during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak. According to the memorandum, a case was registered in 2021 under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. They noted that although POCSO cases are mandated to be completed within one year from the date of cognisance, the matter remains unresolved nearly five years later.
The women’s organisations further referred to another FIR registered on April 2, 2025, alleging sexual harassment of women employees by Wilfred during his tenure as Joint Secretary at the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN). They claimed that women who came forward with allegations subsequently lost their contractual employment and continue to remain unemployed.
Expressing concern over the pace of the proceedings, the memorandum highlighted a series of legal developments, including the dismissal of a writ petition before the Gauhati High Court’s Kohima Bench seeking quashing of the FIR, followed by the dismissal of an appeal before the Supreme Court. The organisations also questioned the admission of a Criminal Revision Petition filed by the accused in 2026 challenging the rejection of his discharge plea.
According to the memorandum, victims were scheduled to depose before the Sessions Court on June 9, 2026, but the hearing was adjourned to July 14 due to the pendency of the revision petition.
“The repeated recourse to successive legal proceedings and the consequent postponement of the trial have resulted in further delay in the administration of justice, causing deep anguish and concern to the victims and the community at large,” the memorandum stated.
The protesting organisations demanded that no further wilful delays be permitted and that the trial be conducted in a fair, impartial and time-bound manner. They also sought the continuation of Wilfred’s suspension pending the outcome of the case and urged that he not be reinstated or assigned any official responsibilities during the trial.
The memorandum further stated that, in the event of conviction, the accused should be permanently barred from holding any public office or government position in Nagaland.
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The women’s groups also drew attention to several recent cases of alleged sexual violence and harassment involving women and minors in different parts of Nagaland, including incidents reported from Dimapur, Kohima and Kiphire. They condemned the alleged crimes and called for exemplary punishment for all perpetrators in accordance with the law.
The organisations argued that prolonged delays in judicial proceedings weaken deterrence and contribute to rising incidents of crime. They urged authorities to ensure the speedy disposal of such cases and sought personal intervention to guarantee prompt and impartial justice.
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