In a significant development at King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow, a case alleging the harassment of a senior woman faculty member has been officially referred to the university's Internal Complaints Committee. This action came only after the professor sought intervention from the State Women's Commission, having exhausted internal avenues for justice over several weeks.
The Incident and Initial Complaint
The alleged misbehavior occurred on October 17, following a departmental purchase committee meeting. According to the formal complaint, a male professor is accused of misbehaving with the senior woman faculty member. The complaint further states that he attempted to stop her forcefully, creating a distressing situation for the complainant.
Delayed Internal Response and Escalation
Following the incident, the woman professor took the appropriate internal steps to report the matter. She first informed the Teachers' Association and subsequently approached the university administration, seeking action against the accused. However, for several weeks, no concrete action was taken by the university authorities, leaving the complainant in a state of professional and personal uncertainty.
Faced with this administrative silence, the professor was compelled to escalate the matter. On November 8, she formally approached the State Women's Commission to demand justice, bringing external scrutiny to the university's handling of the case.
University Finally Takes Action
The involvement of the State Women's Commission prompted an immediate response from KGMU. The university administration swiftly handed over the case to its seven-member Vishakha Committee, which functions as the Internal Complaints Committee as mandated by law. The committee has been directed to conduct an immediate and thorough inquiry into the serious allegations.
This case highlights the critical importance of robust internal mechanisms for addressing workplace complaints and the role of external bodies in ensuring accountability when those internal systems fail to act in a timely manner.
