An Indian Forest Service officer, Surendra Prasad Mohapatra, is under arrest on charges of sexual molestation of a female hotel employee in Matamoras, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Mohapatra was in the U.S. for a training course along with other colleagues. He was however taken into custody by local law enforcement officials following a complaint made by a woman employee at the hotel where he was staying.

Earlier, media reports quoting an Indian course coordinator for the U.S. trip of the IFS officials said that Mr. Mahapatra “had a problem with his Internet connection and asked the reception for help. A woman came to his room but was unable to fix it and so left.” Two hours later the police were said to have arrived at the hotel and arrested Mr. Mohapatra following a complaint filed by the woman in question.

It is further clear now that the arrest of the IFS officer occurred at around 1 or 2 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning.

He has already been produced before a judge who has ordered bail, and arrangements for bail as well as legal counsel in the case are being made. Although Mr. Mohapatra, who is the Regional Chief Conservator of Forests at Sambalpur, is likely to be released on bail he will be required to remain in the country until his case is closed.

This may either require that a verdict on his guilt is arrived at, and sentencing pronounced if necessary; or else a settlement could be reached. Mr. Mohapatra has however denied the charges against him in court.

Earlier the Odisha government said it had received information from the U.S. on Mr. Mohapatra’s arrest; however at the time the state government said it was “not aware of the charges against Mohapatra amid reports that the Odisha-cadre officer had been accused of ‘wrongfully confining’ a woman staff at a hotel where he was put up.”

However it is now confirmed not only that charges of sexual molestation have been pressed, but that Mr. Mohapatra has had consular access too. Specifically, a representative of the Indian Consul General in New York has been in touch with Mr. Mohapatra at the location where he is being held.

A large number of Indian civil servants of different categories now regularly visit the U.S. for in-service training, and it has been suggested that they should be properly briefed on cultural norms and standards in this country prior to their embarking on any such tours.

PTI adds:

Mr Mohapatra has been charged with indecent assault and will appear in court on August 1 for his preliminary hearing.

The official said Mr Mohapatra has been detained at the Pike County correctional facility. A bail amount of $35000 has been set for Mr Mohapatra, who could be released once the bond formalities are complete.

He would appear again in court before Magisterial District Justice Deborah Fischer for his preliminary hearing on August 1.