Summary:
- Former Indian MEA official Rohan Mehta has alleged that in 2015, three employees of the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh raped and murdered a minor, leaving her body in an official vehicle.
- Mehta claims the case was brought to Bangladeshi courts, but no significant action has been taken, and crucial details remain suppressed.
- In a 43-minute video, Mehta also accused senior MEA officials of corruption, harassment, and covering up misconduct within the ministry.
- The allegations have sparked calls for independent investigations into both the 2015 incident and broader systemic issues within India’s diplomatic missions.
Rohan Mehta, a former official of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has made explosive allegations involving a 2015 case of rape and murder allegedly committed by three employees of the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. In a recently released video, Mehta claims that the minor victim’s body was left in an official High Commission vehicle outside the premises. He further asserts that despite the case being brought to Bangladeshi courts, no substantive action has been taken to address these crimes.
“If cross-referencing is going to be done, lots of details are going to come out regarding this case, but nothing has been done,” Mehta stated in the video. The full recording, which spans over 43 minutes, includes other serious allegations against the MEA, including corruption, workplace harassment, and sexual exploitation.
Background on Rohan Mehta’s Allegations
Mehta served with the MEA for eight years, including tenures at Indian diplomatic missions in São Paulo, Brazil, and Moscow, Russia. His whistleblowing efforts have focused on exposing systemic corruption and misconduct within the ministry. Among his claims are accusations against senior officials for covering up sexual harassment incidents and retaliating against those who report wrongdoing. He has provided audio recordings and documents as evidence to substantiate his allegations.
In this particular case involving the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh, Mehta’s revelations have reignited concerns about accountability within diplomatic missions. The alleged crime occurred in 2015, but details remain sparse due to what Mehta describes as deliberate suppression of evidence by authorities.
Broader Context of Corruption and Misconduct
Mehta’s disclosures extend beyond this specific incident. He has accused senior MEA officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, of fostering a culture of corruption and impunity. He alleges that complaints about workplace harassment and financial irregularities were ignored or dismissed by ministry leadership. Retaliatory actions against Mehta reportedly included false allegations of misconduct, withholding of his salary, and interference in his personal life.
The MEA has not yet issued an official response to these claims. However, Mehta’s decision to go public underscores the challenges faced by whistleblowers in India’s bureaucratic system.
Implications for Justice in Bangladesh
The allegations come against a backdrop of ongoing struggles with justice for sexual violence victims in Bangladesh. The country has faced criticism for its low conviction rates in rape cases—less than 1%—and systemic barriers that discourage survivors from coming forward. While Bangladesh courts reportedly handled the 2015 case mentioned by Mehta, its resolution remains unclear.
Human rights organizations have long called for reforms to address sexual violence in both India and Bangladesh. These include stronger witness protection laws and mechanisms to hold officials accountable for mishandling cases.
Call for Investigation
Given the gravity of Mehta’s claims, calls for an independent investigation into the alleged crimes at the Indian High Commission have intensified. Advocacy groups stress that both Indian and Bangladeshi authorities must ensure transparency and accountability to rebuild trust in their institutions.
As this story develops, it remains uncertain whether these allegations will lead to meaningful action or further highlight systemic failures within diplomatic and judicial systems.
