Look into inquiry report before taking action, High Court tells Panjab University

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 6

Four years after an inquiry report was submitted in an alleged sexual harassment case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed Panjab University and another respondent to look into the report before taking necessary steps. For the purpose, Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul has set a two-month deadline.

The direction came on a petition filed by a woman employee against Panjab University and other respondents for directions to the university for taking action on the inquiry report dated May 4, 2016, that was submitted by a committee on the university’s direction in terms of the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal), Act, 2013.

Directions were also sought for imposing punishment in view of the recommendations made by the committee. It was further requested that a considerable compensation amount may also be ordered. “If any action contrary to the recommendations made in the inquiry report has already been taken by the university and another respondent, the same be quashed keeping in view the peculiar facts and circumstances of the instant case,” it was added.

The counsel submitted that the petitioner would be satisfied if the petition was disposed of with a direction to the official respondents to look into the matter and take appropriate action, if required, on the inquiry report.