KOHIMA, April 12: IAS officer Reny Wilfred is once again under the scrutiny of Nagaland Police in a fresh case of alleged sexual harassment. The latest case involves accusations by female employees of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), where Wilfred previously served as Planning and Secretary. On April 4, Wilfred was officially relieved of his duties at IDAN.
According to a press statement issued by the Nagaland Police, a written complaint was submitted to the Director General of Police (DGP), Nagaland, by the Chairperson of the Nagaland State Women Commission (NSCW) on March 17. The complaint followed a verbal intimation received from Abu Metha, Chairman of DAN, on February 27, regarding allegations of sexual and mental harassment by Reny Wilfred towards some female employees at IDAN.
The NSCW took cognizance of the matter under Sections 5 and 6 of the Nagaland State Women Commission Act, 2006, and recorded statements from the victims on March 5, 2025. Subsequently, an official forwarding letter along with a complaint letter written by the IDAN employees and addressed to IDAN Chairman Abu Metha was submitted to the NSCW on March 3.
The Nagaland Police confirmed that they received the letter and its annexures, which included staff statements. Based on these, and in accordance with the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a Preliminary Enquiry was initiated on March 25, 2025, by a lady officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The Enquiry Officer submitted her report on April 1.
“The report of the Enquiry Officer prima facie revealed the commission of a cognizable offence of sexual harassment under Sections 75 and 79 of the BNS, warranting an in-depth criminal investigation and recommended for further investigation to uncover the full extent and truthfulness of the allegations,” stated the Nagaland Police.
Following the findings of the Preliminary Enquiry, a First Information Report (FIR) was formally registered on April 2, under SCPS Case No. 01/2025, dated 02/04/2025, under Sections 74, 75(2), and 79 of the BNS. The investigation has been assigned to a specially constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by a senior IPS officer. Four other officers have been co-opted as team members for the case.
The police also confirmed that, as required by law, a copy of the FIR has been shared with the Hon’ble Court, the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, and the NSCW. “Investigation of the case is ongoing, and the Police team is looking into all aspects of the allegations,” the statement added.
Update on Previous Case:
The Nagaland Police also provided an update on a previous case involving Reny Wilfred, where he was charged in SCPS Case No. 04/2021 under Sections 10 and 12 of the POCSO Act, along with Sections 354A and 354B of the IPC. The case pertains to the alleged molestation of two underage girls who were working as domestic help during Wilfred’s tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak at his official residence.
Following a detailed investigation, a chargesheet was filed on December 12, 2021, in the Court of the Special Judge (POCSO Act), Tuensang. The court took cognizance of the charges and initiated the trial. According to police, 34 out of 50 prosecution witnesses have deposed in the ongoing trial.
