Kalpetta: The Forest Department has suspended Ratheesh Kumar KK (36), a Beat Forest Officer of the South Wayanad Forest Division, pending inquiry in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a woman forest officer.

Chief Conservator of Forests BN Anjankumar issued the suspension order on September 14 after receiving a complaint from the woman officer. According to the order, she had submitted a complaint to the Kalpetta Forest Range Officer regarding an incident that took place at the section office on September 1. Official sources confirmed that Ratheesh Kumar was found prima facie guilty during an internal inquiry.

According to the case details, Ratheesh broke into the room of a female beat officer, who was on night duty, and attempted to assault her. She managed to escape by raising an alarm and running out. Ratheesh, who had gone home after his duty, allegedly returned at night to commit the assault, Manorama News reported.

Meanwhile, the Padinjarathara police also received a complaint against him and have launched a probe.

The incident made headlines after an audio clip of the accused leaked online. In the clip, Ratheesh can be heard admitting to his actions and pleading with the woman officer to withdraw the complaint. He acknowledges his wrongdoing and begs her not to expose him, offering to do “anything” in return as a favour.

“I can’t even look at your face now. I made a mistake. Please find a way to settle this,” he is heard saying in the recording.

The officer had already been transferred from the South Wayanad Forest Division, following the recommendation of the internal committee on workplace harassment.