Rajouri: District Adminstration Rajouri may hand over the alleged sexual harassment case to police following non-cooperation by the Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University with the district Deputy Commissioner. There are accusations of sexual harassment by students against faculty members of the varsity with accusations against VC and registrar that they are ‘shielding the accused’.
Deputy Commissioner Rajouri had initiated enquiry into sexual harassment accusation it had received through registered speed post from students of BGSBU addressed to District Magistrate.
“A compact disc containing telephonic conversations and other statements was also received wherein prima facie a case was made out. The complainant also alleged that matter was brought into notice of higher authorities in University however no action was taken,” District Information Officer Rajouri said in a statement.
According to letter by DC Rajouri to varsity which states that the complaint is mainly against Prof Asghal Ali shah however there are also serious allegations made against the vice chancellor and registrar of varsity for allegedly shielding the accused by not acting against him or enquiring the matter despite complaints made on various occasions.
“ In this regard, before the case is referred to police for registration of FIR and regular investigation the following officials may be directed to attend the office for their examinations by the designatied officer as per the guidelines of SC,” the letter reads.
Complaint along with material evidence and alleged non-action by the University administration the District Magistrate, Rajouri who is also designated District Officer under the The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013 wrote to BGSBU Vice-Chancellor to depute the Registrar and other officials for a meeting in the matter on 5th April 2018.
“However, instead of attending the said meeting to assist the Designated Authority under law a university official wrote to the district authorities to hand over the complaint and evidence to the university administration for examination and action “if any” on the grounds that university has an internal committee for such complaints,” DIO confided.
Officials decried the callous approach of the varsity and explained that every organization with minimum 10 employees has to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee, and District Administration at the ‘outset too expected such a mechanism to be in place at BGSBU like any other org.’
“However, as per the provisions of the Act wherever a complaint is against the head of an organisation or wherever the ICC has not delivered justice the complainant has to approach the “Local Complaints Committee” which is headed by the District Officer under the Act i.e District Magistrate or the DM may constitute a LCC for specific complaints,” they said.
Officials believe that University management has taken a wrong stand confusing the mandate of ICC with that of LCC or the District Magistrate.
“It has also been held by the High Court that in such cases Criminal Proceedings are also to be initiated. The District Officer under the Act (District Magistrate) in a professional manner after examination of evidence and seriousness of complaints offered an opportunity of being heard to the University management however the cooperation solicited did not come forth,” DIO said.
Officials say that in view of sensitive nature of complaint, identity of complainant to be kept secret as the cases is likely to be handed over to district police for registration of an FIR and regular investigation in the matter ‘if required support is not extended by the university management in addressing the complaint’.
