DCW seeks Stephen's action report on sexual harassment

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Wednesday sought to know from Delhi University's St. Stephen's College the action taken on a complaint about alleged sexual harassment of a research student by a professor.

In a letter to college principal Valson Thampu, DCW chairperson Barkha Singh said the commission was "deeply shocked over the shameful incident of alleged harassment of a women researcher pursuing her Ph.D from your prestigious college, by her guide/thesis supervisor recently inviting huge condemnation from all sections of the society".

"Taking this issue in all seriousness, I, in my capacity of the chairperson of Delhi Commission of Women, would like to know as to what prompt action has been initiated by the college authorities to give justice to the suffering student of your college," she added. The DCW chairperson, in her <g data-gr-id="22">letter</g> said that she would be "grateful" if <g data-gr-id="21">Thampu</g> could "kindly" send the action taken report in this regard to the Commission.

"... as being a statutory body for protection of women's rights and help the women in distress it is our bounden duty to ensure that such aggrieved women get due justice in time under the legal framework," she added.

"I sincerely hope that you will kindly apprise me about the necessary action taken in this regard by the college authorities under your kind control, at the earliest," she added. A Delhi University research scholar has alleged that a professor at St. Stephen's College sexually harassed her.

The human resource development ministry has also sought a report from the college on the issue.