Former PU VC seeks copy of plea

Chandigarh, January 17

Just about four months after Panjab University was put on notice on a petition filed by a senior professor alleging sexual harassment, a former Vice-Chancellor on Thursday appeared before the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding a copy of the plea.

In her petition against the Chancellor and other respondents filed through counsel R Kartikeya and argued by senior advocate RS Cheema, the petitioner-professor had claimed that she was aggrieved by the acts and conduct of the former Vice-Chancellor, granted extension for three years. He abused his position by making “sexually coloured gestures, which included winking, making body contacts and passing comments with pink etc., and creating an extremely hostile work environment, thereby, sexually harassing the petitioner and causing immense mental trauma, public humiliation and embarrassment to her”, she had alleged.

The petitioner had added a committee was constituted and approved on the directions of the former VC by members of the Syndicate and Senate, who were all subordinate to him. He chaired both Houses and was having complete domain, administrative superintendence and control over them, being the administrative head and CEO.

“It is but natural that it will be the endeavor of these members to exculpate their colleague, from the allegations levelled against him. Moreover, all members of the committee, barring the judicial members, are under direct obligations of the respondent in one way or the other,” it was added. 

As the case came up for resumed hearing, Additional Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jai described it as a socio-political litigation. Objecting to the description, Kartikeya said the petition was a case of sexual harassment. The hearing now stands adjourned to February 26.