Tribal women bodies in Kohima on Friday demanded an expeditious trial in the sexual harassment case involving IAS officer Reny Wilfred, submitting a memorandum to the Governor of Nagaland and alleging that repeated delays in court proceedings were denying justice to the complainants.
The rally, attended by women, students, civil society organisations and members of the public, began at the Old MLA Hostel Junction and culminated at Lok Bhavan, where representatives of the organisations submitted a memorandum seeking the Governor’s intervention.
In the memorandum, the organisations expressed concern over the prolonged pendency of a sexual harassment case registered against Wilfred on April 2, 2025, despite the filing of a charge sheet. They alleged that repeated legal challenges by the accused had delayed the commencement of the trial process.
“The case of sexual harassment perpetrated by Mr. Reny Wilfred, IAS, on 10 members of his subordinate employees has been dragging on for too long, and the accused has been indulging in all delay tactics, thereby impeding the justice process,” the memorandum stated.
The organisations maintained that continued delays undermine the principle of fair and expeditious justice and risk fostering a sense of impunity among perpetrators.
Seeking the Governor’s intervention, the organisations submitted a three-point charter of demands. They urged that no further undue delays be permitted in the proceedings and that the trial be conducted in a fair, impartial and time-bound manner. They also demanded that Wilfred remain under suspension pending adjudication of the case and, in the event of a conviction, be permanently barred from serving under the Nagaland government or holding any public office in the state.
The memorandum further referred to an earlier case in which Wilfred, while serving as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak, was accused of molesting two minor girls. According to the organisations, a criminal case was registered under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, but the matter remains pending despite statutory provisions calling for the expeditious disposal of such cases.
The organisations also expressed concern over the welfare of the complainants in the 2025 case, stating that the women who lodged complaints had since lost their contractual employment and were facing financial hardship.
The memorandum further stated that after the FIR was registered, the accused unsuccessfully challenged the case before the Kohima Bench of the Gauhati High Court and later before the Supreme Court. It added that a criminal revision petition challenging the dismissal of a discharge plea is currently pending before the High Court.
According to the organisations, the victims had been summoned to appear before the District and Sessions Court on June 9, 2026, but the matter was adjourned to July 14, 2026 due to the pendency of the revision petition.
Representatives addressing the rally said the protest was not only about a single case but also about ensuring accountability and protecting the dignity and rights of women and children. They argued that prolonged delays in legal proceedings weaken public confidence in the justice system and embolden perpetrators.
The organisations also condemned recent incidents of sexual violence reported from different parts of Nagaland and called for the speedy disposal of cases involving crimes against women and children.