HC directs inquiry into allegations of Sexual Harassment by Medical College Dean

Chennai: The Madras High Court, in a Directive to the Director, Institute of Road Transport(IRT), Taramani has ordered for the appointment of an independent Committee to look into allegations of sexual harassment against the Dean, IRT Perundurai Medical College and Hospital, located in Erode district.

The Court's order was issued based on a petition filed by the staff nurse of the hospital, alleging sexual harassment by the Dean.

Justice S M Subramaniam's order stated: "the Director of Institute of Road Transport is directed to appoint an independent committee under Section 4 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (prevention, prohibition, redressal) Act 2013, so as to conduct fair and free enquiry in respect of the allegations set out by the petitioner."

Meanwhile, the Counsel for the nurse, M Radhakrishnan alleged, "The staff nurse, who is a Dalit Christian, joined the medical college in 1996 and is presently working as a staff nurse. The Dean against whom the sexual harassment allegations are made by the above staff nurse joined as a ward doctor and used to behave indecently in the guise of visiting the patients in the ward."

He further argued that despite police assurances of action in accordance with the law, nothing had been done in the past 8 months.

The nurse, in this case, the petitioner, sought that court direction be given to the Directors' of IRT and DME to constitute an internal complaints committee (ICC) as per the Act, and conduct an inquiry, in accordance with the petitioner's complaint.

The nurses October 28^th complaint to the Director was also forwarded to the Chief Minister's cell and was received by the Director, Medical Education, leading to the police recording her statement on November 4, 2016, while on duty in the hospital, reports TNIE.