Fear & Silence: Women’s Safety Concerns at PLW—Complainants are punished and Offenders are protected
Patiala, 2025: Patiala Locomotive Works (PLW), a premier production unit of Indian Railways, is presently witnessing unprecedented unrest and fear among officers and staff. Employees from various departments have raised serious concerns regarding administrative bias, safety of women officers and employees, alleged corruption, misuse of authority, and retaliation against those seeking legal remedies. The situation has now reached a highly sensitive and dangerous stage.
Multiple employees have raised allegations against Principal Chief Administrative Officer (#PCAO), PLW, Patiala. According to staff and officers, his functioning is perceived as biased and arbitrary, especially in matters of promotions, disciplinary proceedings, and handling of staff associations.
Also Read: “Tensions Escalate at PLW Amid Allegations of Misconduct and Partiality, Railway Board Mum”
Employees have repeatedly stated that these are allegations requiring independent verification, and they are demanding a neutral and time-bound inquiry by competent authorities outside PLW.
Pamphlet Incident & Safety of Women
The situation deteriorated sharply after highly objectionable pamphlets targeting a senior woman officer were allegedly found pasted inside men’s urinals during a protest led by the SC/ST Railway Employees Association. The pamphlets were reportedly pasted above urinals, an act that employees across PLW described as highly humiliating indecent, and a direct threat to women’s dignity and safety.
Also Read: “Allegations of Irregularities and Misuse of Public Resources at Patiala Locomotive Works”
Employees strongly believe that such incidents create a hostile and unsafe working environment for women officers and employees. Despite complaints being raised at multiple levels, employees allege that no effective or visible action was taken against those responsible.
Attack on Woman Officer’s Vehicle
During the same protest, it is alleged that the vehicle of a senior woman officer mentioned in the pamphlets was attacked, and protesters climbed onto the vehicle. Employees state that videos of the incident clearly identified the individuals involved. It is alleged that:
- Charge sheets were prepared by concerned JAG officers
- PHODs and HODs supported disciplinary action
However, employees claim that these charge sheets were later taken over and kept pending at the level of the PCAO, without being issued.
Posting of SSE in PCAO Office
Employees have further alleged that the very next day after all senior officers collectively met PCAO following the attack incident, an SSE was personally posted by PCAO in his office—raises serious doubts. According to employees, this posting is widely perceived as:
- A signal of assurance
- Proof that the PCAO was acting as per an earlier understanding or “deal”
- An attempt to show protection to certain individuals involved in the incident
Employees strongly feel that this action seriously undermined the morale of officers who were demanding strict action against misconduct.
Transfer of the Complainant
Officers and Employees have expressed shock and distress, and raises grave concern that the senior woman officer who raised formal complaints was transferred, while no disciplinary action was taken against those allegedly involved in the misconduct. “Actually, the culprits should have been sacked immediately under rule 14/2”, the officials said.
This has created a strong perception among staff that complainants are punished while offenders are protected, discouraging others from coming forward.
Conflict of Interest
Employees and Officers have also alleged that PCAO, is himself functioning as a head of the caste based SC/ST Railway Employees Association of PLW, which they consider a serious conflict of interest, as he is also the highest administrative authority in PLW. It is further alleged that:
- The caste based Association meetings are being held at the official residence (Rail House) of the PCAO
- Government premises are being used for unauthorised activities
- Employees believe this erodes institutional neutrality and fairness
Extraordinary Spouse
Some employees have also raised concerns that the extraordinary spouse of the PCAO has allegedly been using the General Manager’s office premises for personal gatherings, including kitty parties. It is also alleged that her photographs were taken while she was seated in the PCAO’s official chair.
Employees believe these matters, if found true, reflect misuse of official space, insult of the chair and violation of protocol, and therefore require verification by an independent authority.
Misuse of PLW Club Property
Employees have also raised serious concerns regarding the alleged misuse and removal of PLW property, particularly items meant for the PLW Club and official use. According to staff, utensils, crockery, and other inventory purchased for the PLW Club and the official residence of the PCAO have allegedly been taken out of PLW premises and transported to Agra.
Employees informally refer to this issue as the “Bartan Chor PCAO”, reflecting the depth of anger and loss of trust among staff. It is alleged that significant quantities of crockery and household items belonging to PLW were removed without any proper authorization, stock adjustment, or approval.
#Ep165: #PLW कांड—महिला PHOD का अपमान, PCAO का षड्यंत्र और बोर्ड की चुप्पी! #irps #crb #froa
In addition, employees have reported that the highly ambitious spouse of the PCAO allegedly pressures staff for personal and illegitimate favours, including demands related to shopping and other personal benefits. Employees state that certain matters are too sensitive and inappropriate to be discussed publicly, but have caused serious discomfort and distress among staff.
It is further alleged that PLW inventory meant for the PLW Club and the official residence of the PCAO has been taken as private property, raising grave questions about misuse of government property and violation of conduct rules, and therefore require an independent inquiry.
Employees stress that these are serious allegations requiring verification and demand that:
- A physical verification of PLW Club inventory be conducted
- Movement of assets be audited
- Responsibility be fixed if any government property is found misused
Staff believe that failure to examine even such basic matters of property misuse further strengthens the perception that rules are not being applied equally at PLW.
AWM Selection, Court Stay, and Targeting
Employees have stated that in the #AWM selection process, posts were allegedly altered between #Unreserved and #Reserved categories after the examination, forcing affected employees to approach the courts. It is stated that:
- Employees have obtained court stay orders regarding AWM selection
- Since then, PCAO is allegedly targeting those employees who sought legal remedies
Employees claim that:
- Careers are being deliberately harmed
- Pressure tactics are being used
- Fear and anxiety have become routine
Many staff members are reportedly suffering from severe mental stress and depression.
Growing Fear of Untoward Incidents
Employees have expressed serious concern that due to:
- Continuous harassment
- Career uncertainty
- Mental pressure
- Breakdown of trust
The atmosphere in PLW has become extremely volatile.
There is a growing fear that any untoward incident may occur, and employees clearly state that responsibility will lie entirely with PCAO, and PCPO, if timely corrective action is not taken.
Compassionate Appointment Racket
Employees have also raised serious allegations regarding PCPO, PLW, stating that:
- He is an officer of mechanical cadre posted on a personnel cadre post
- He allegedly lacks adequate knowledge of personnel and establishments rules
- He is allegedly acting under the directions of the PCAO
Employees further allege the existence of an extortion racket in compassionate appointment cases, where large sums (up to ₹10 lakh per case) are allegedly demanded. Employees insist that these claims are common knowledge within PLW and require urgent investigation.
Concern Over Higher-Level Empanelment
Employees have also expressed serious concern that PCPO is seeking empanelment as Joint Secretary to the Government of India. They fear that:
- If such allegations are not examined now
- And officers of doubtful integrity rise to higher positions
- It would cause serious damage to public administration and national interest
Employees strongly feel that instead of empanelment, PCPO’s actions should be reviewed, especially as employees’ careers and mental well-being are at stake.
Employees’ Collective Appeal
Employees and officers across PLW state that:
- The entire establishment is aware of these issues
- Fear prevents open dissent
- Trust in internal mechanisms has collapsed
They collectively urge the Railway Board and Ministry of Railways to order:
- An independent, impartial, and time-bound inquiry
- Immediate protection for women officers and whistleblowers
- Suspension of contentious administrative decisions till inquiry completion
They warn that delay or inaction may lead to irreversible damage, not only to PLW but also to the credibility of the administration of Indian Railways.
An immediate enquiry by an external agency like CBI is demanded. To continue..