Another sexual harassment case emerges at IIT-Mandi

Female students at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Mandi have lodged a fresh complaint of sexual harassment against a professor. This comes just a month after another professor was removed from service following similar allegations by two B Tech students. A press note issued by the IIT today said, "We have a zero-tolerance policy for such incidents and thus allegations of harassment against a faculty member have been taken seriously. We are addressing the matter with urgency and diligence. The professor in question has been removed from services with immediate effect."

In the earlier case, the accused professor was suspended after a preliminary inquiry last year. The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) had found the allegations credible and recommended strict action. Acting on the ICC’s report, the Board of Governors had decided to impose compulsory retirement on the professor. Though removed from service, the professor’s service was not terminated and he would still receive retirement benefits. He had challenged the Board of Governors’ decision with the appellate authority. In the latest case, a complaint has been submitted to the Internal Complaints Committee, but an inquiry is yet to begin. According to sources, neither of these incidents was reported to the police, and the institute managed all investigations and actions internally. These developments came to light yesterday.

Meanwhile, local social activist Vipin expressed concern over such incidents in prestigious institutions like IITs and said, “Sexual harassment in reputed institutions undermines the safety, dignity and well-being of female students. These institutes must not only ensure academic excellence but also uphold students’ fundamental rights.”