The principal of a Delhi University college was suspended after at least two female faculty members accused him of harassment. This resulted in an institutional enquiry that saw the participation of the highest levels of administration. National media states that the suspended principal has rejected all the allegations against him and has sought to portray himself as a victim of a conspiracy.

National media reports that one of the complainants is the daughter of a former Union minister. A senior university official also told a national daily that, “This issue has been going on for the last five months. We formed a fact-finding committee after complaints were filed by the victims and with the go-ahead of the Vice Chancellor. The college’s governing body took the decision to suspend the principal. The matter will now be investigated by the internal complaints committee. It has been two days since the suspension.”

In a WhatsApp message circulated on a college staff association group, a faculty member reportedly stated that “more than 12 female teachers were subjected to misbehaviour…”

Principal’s Side

The suspended principal wrote a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office on September 13, in which he stated that a “false complaint of harassment” was launched against him, and he was subjected to unethical pressure from different quarters to promote one of the complainants. The principal further added that when he decided not to provide favours, threats of framing him in a sexual harassment case followed.

The principal also contended that the complainants had bypassed the statutory route prescribed under the University Grants Commission rules and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act.

“It is pertinent to submit that the complaint was not submitted to the internal complaints committee as mandated… Instead, it was addressed to the chairman of the governing body of the college and later to the Honourable Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi. It is noteworthy to highlight that neither authority referred the matter to the ICC, even after six months.”

The principal has categorically denied all allegations and called them “false, fabricated, politically motivated, and devoid of merit… All those directly or indirectly involved in this criminal conspiracy to defame and dislodge” him should attract consequences.

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