Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) has refused to consider the complaint of varsity’s female assistant professor against a male assistant professor claiming the complaint to be of mental harassment which doesn’t fall under its purview.
The female assistant professor, also the chairperson of a PU department, had complained on March 1 this year against a male assistant professor who works in another research centre of the university.
According to complainant, the assistant professor barged into her room and threatened her of dire consequences if she stopped him from ‘exporting things’ property from department.
She added that a security guard had to be called till the staff and another teacher reached her room. She said that she was humiliated, claiming the case to be that of outraging the modesty of woman and mental harassment.
The committee had called her to record her statement on March 22.
Nishtha Jaswal, chairperson, Panjab University’s committee against sexual harassment, in her letter dated March 29 said the complainant in her written statement clearly mentioned that it was a case of mental harassment, not a sexual one.
“Therefore PUCASH resolved that complaint was not within the purview of this committee while appropriate authority may take suitable decision,” read the letter. The complaint and relevant documents will now be placed before syndicate on April 30 to take further decision on the issue.
{{/usCountry}}“Therefore PUCASH resolved that complaint was not within the purview of this committee while appropriate authority may take suitable decision,” read the letter. The complaint and relevant documents will now be placed before syndicate on April 30 to take further decision on the issue.
{{/usCountry}}The complainant has threatened to approach the police if action is not taken against the male assistant professor.
Meanwhile, a committee is yet to be appointed by the vice president of India and PU chancellor Hamid Ansari to look into a case wherein a woman professor had levelled sexual harassment allegations against varsity’s vice-chancellor prof Arun Kumar Grover.
In a special senate meeting held on January 29 this year on this issue, it was decided to forward the recommendation of the syndicate to the chancellor, regarding the formation of a committee to look into the allegations.