SC Orders V-C to Include Sexual Harassment Allegation in Resume

Quick Summary:

• The Supreme court of India directed that details of alleged sexual harassment by a university Vice-Chancellor (V-C) be included in his resume to “haunt” him, despite the complaint being dismissed on technical grounds as time-barred.
• the case involved allegations made by a faculty member from a West Bengal-based university, who lodged the complaint in December 2023 against incidents dating back to September 2019, with the last alleged incident occurring in April 2023.
• The local complaints commitee (LCC) rejected the complaint for being filed beyond both the prescribed limitation period of three months adn the extendable period of six months.
• A single Calcutta High Court judge initially ruled in favor of rehearing the case on merit but was later overturned by its division Bench, which affirmed that administrative actions taken after April 2023 were collective decisions and not acts of sexual harassment attributable solely to personal actions by the V-C.
• While dismissing an appeal against this decision, Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B Varale stressed that while forgiveness was advisable, wrongdoing should not be forgotten.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The Supreme Court’s decision attempts to balance technical adherence to statute limitations with moral accountability concerning serious allegations like sexual harassment. By directing that details remain part of the accused’s professional record permanently-despite dismissal on procedural grounds-the court ensures societal acknowledgment even when legal remedies fall short. This precedent could influence future discussions about accountability within academic institutions while spotlighting gaps between formal legal mechanisms and ethical justice. Policymakers may need to review limitation laws for sensitive issues like workplace misconduct where victims often face delays due to fear or retaliation.

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