The Delhi High Court has directed the Disciplinary Authority of IIT-Delhi to decide on a complaint of sexual harassment against one of its professors, within eight weeks.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru clarified that the petitioner could approach the High Court again if she was aggrieved by the decision of the Disciplinary Authority.
The court’s order came on a plea seeking directions to the Board of Governors of IIT-Delhi, to take action on a report submitted by the internal complaints committee (ICC).
The petitioner had made a complaint of sexual harassment against the professor serving in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT-Delhi.
In her petition, she said her complaint was examined by the ICC and it submitted an inquiry report, dated May 18, 2018, to the Disciplinary Authority.
She claimed that the ICC found that the allegations made by her, including that of stalking, were correct and accordingly, recommended that punitive should action be taken against the professor.
She later approached the High Court due to “inaction” on the part of Disciplinary Authority.
The counsel representing IIT, Delhi said that the Disciplinary Authority had examined the report submitted by the ICC and had expressed a “prima facie view that the ICC report did not appear adequate for charges of stalking”.
“In view of the above, the Disciplinary Authority had considered it appropriate to give the accused a reasonable opportunity to submit a representation in accordance with Rule 15 of the Central Civil Services [Classification, Control & Appeal] Rules, 1965,” the counsel said.
The counsel told the High Court that an informed decision would be taken in the matter on receipt of the representation from the professor.
In view of this, the High Court said, “The present petition is disposed of by directing respondent no.2 [Disciplinary Authority] to take a final view in the matter as expeditiously as possible and in any event, within a period of eight weeks.”
