PhD Girl Student Complained Of Sexual Harassment Against Dean’s Son. What Happened Next Is Shameful
In India, you can never be sure of your victory if you have filed a complaint against some high official or their family member. A shameful incident has taken place in Panjab University which further strengthens this statement.
A female PhD student named Neena Caplash is expelled by Panjab University for alleging that she was sexually harassed by son of DSW which refers to Dean Students’ Welfare (Women). On Thursday, Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) declared her claims as fake and hence, she was expelled from the university. It was on 7th Jan this year that the girl lodged an FIR, stating that she as well as a relative of her friend had been verbally harassed by the son of DSW at the time when they were coming back from the market.
That’s not all! She was once again harassed subsequent to dropping that relative at Faculty Guest House. She was on a scooter while he was in Ford Endeavour; the moment she made an attempt of speeding the scooter away, he hit her deliberately, saying “Nikaal Di Teri Hekadi (Killed your ego)”.
Firstly, the victim made a complaint to VC, prof Arun Kumar Grover, from where it was transferred to PUCASH. It was on 26th March that her complaint was proclaimed as fake by the VC. Subsequently, she informed PUCASH via an email that the result of her complaint was already determined by the VC and therefore, she would not appear before the panel.
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PUCASH announced the girl’s complaint as fake and malicious on 25th April. Not only this, the committee also stated that her police complaint didn’t give any clue about sexual harassment. The girl has moved to National Commission for Women, saying,
“The Police and the [Committee Against Sexual Harassment] have acted in a biased manner.”
Her guide, Jagdish Chander Mehta from DAV College, has this to say over her enrollment’s cancellation,
“The complaint was wrongly sent to the PUCASH as the DSW’s son is not a part of the university. Her expulsion is an attempt to save the person against whom allegations have been made; his parents are teachers on campus and he is related to a senior senator. The vice-chancellor had even asked me to disown the student. I will raise the issue before the next senate meeting.”
As far as the victim is concerned, she has made up mind of approaching the high court regarding her enrollment’s cancellation. She has also talked about discrepancies in guest house’s record.
According to the FIR, the accused caused an accident and was driving without licence.
Here’s what PUCASH stated,
“…the PUCASH took serious note of the statements made by the V-C in the senate meeting, labelling the complaint as false and also referring to the consequences of making false statements before any recommendations could be given by the PUCASH. The committee has acted in an unbiased manner and it is not influenced by the statement made by the vice chancellor. The committee has not violated the principles of natural justice, so it is not barred from deciding the case…it is decided that the recommendations of PUCASH will be communicated to syndicate instead of the V-C.”
What is your take over the matter? Share your views in the comments section below.
