Haryana officials charged over controversial award recommendation

The Haryana government has charged 12 officials for recommending a woman with a controversial background for a state award. The officials are from the Jind department and the women and child development department. This decision comes after an inquiry ordered by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini two weeks ago. The woman, Rekha Rani Dhiman, received the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award on International Women’s Day. She was praised for her work in rescuing victims of prostitution through her non-profit organization. However, police records reveal that she has a history of filing false rape accusations. Dhiman had served time in jail for a false rape case in 2020 and has been linked to similar accusations in 2012 and 2015. Officials involved in awarding her the honor included eight members, led by Jind's additional deputy commissioner. The Haryana government is considering revoking the award. A government representative described the situation as a significant error that has harmed the administration's reputation. Attempts to reach comment from the women and child development minister and the Jind deputy commissioner were unsuccessful. Dhiman was also unavailable for a response.