IIM-Calcutta removes director-in-charge over sexual harassment charges by woman staffer; brings in new appointment

Kolkata, January 17

The Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) has removed its director-in-charge Sahadeb Sarkar over sexual harassment charges against him.

According to a statement issued by the institute on January 16, which surfaced on Wednesday, senior faculty member Saibal Chattopadhyay has been appointed as the new director-in-charge (DIC) with immediate effect.

As per the statement, Chattopadhyay replaced his predecessor Sahadeb Sarkar, against whom the internal complaints committee of the institute has received a complaint from a woman staff member.

Sakar has not only been removed from the chair of DIC but also has been relieved of all his duties with the institute.

It is learnt that he has been removed as per the provision of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

As per the statement, the internal complaints committee has ascertained that prima facie the complaint warrants a formal probe. A formal communication over the matter has also been sent to the Board of Governors of IIM-C, as per the statement.

It is further leant that the decision to remove Sarkar from the chair of DIC was taken at a meeting on January 6 after accepting the recommendation of the internal complaints committee.