DUTA asks V-C to remove faculty accused of harassment

New Delhi: The Delhi University Teacher Association (DUTA), in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, has expressed grave concern and alleged that faculty members accused of sexual harassment are suppressing the complaints, as many are still holding key post in the University.

In its letter to V-C Yogesh Tyagi, DUTA said that most of the accused are in positions to influence the complainants, in spite of which they have not stepped down from their position, pending which raises serious doubts about the credibility and independence of the inquiry procedure.

The Association also addressed that elections of student representatives to the Internal Complaints Committee have not been held, which is a violation of University Grant Commission guidelines.

"Even in cases where the Apex Committee has conducted an enquiry and submitted a report, the recommendations have not been placed before the Executive Council for implementation," the letters reads.

"In most cases, the cases have not been pursued in a time-bound manner, leading to subversion of cause of justice and redressal," said Rajiv Ray, president, DUTA.

As a result, he said, women students and employees of the University are facing continued harassment, intimidation and hostility in their workplace, which has vitiated the working environment for the entire University community.