More than two months after 24 women teachers at a government senior secondary school in Chandigarh filed a formal complaint alleging harassment and intimidation by a male colleague, the accused continues to remain on duty, with no interim administrative action taken so far.
The complaint, submitted on February 12 to the school’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, outlines multiple allegations. These include the use of abusive and derogatory language, verbal threats, intimidating conduct, and unwelcome physical proximity—creating what the complainants describe as a hostile and humiliating work environment.
The women also cited a specific incident in which the accused allegedly behaved aggressively, made demeaning remarks, and moved uncomfortably close to staff members, leaving them distressed.
Despite the seriousness and scale of the complaint, the accused has neither been transferred nor placed on leave and continues to share the same workspace as the complainants. This lack of interim relief has become a major concern among staff.
In their submission, the teachers sought immediate intervention, urging the ICC to initiate proceedings and implement protective measures without delay. They also warned that inaction could compel them to pursue criminal proceedings.
Sources indicate that, in addition to the school’s ICC, the education department has formed a separate committee comprising principals from at least three government schools along with a senior district education official to examine the matter. This move has raised procedural questions, as the ICC is the designated body to handle such complaints under the law.
Under the POSH framework, a district-level Local Complaints Committee is typically constituted only when an ICC is not available or when the complaint is against the employer. The existence of parallel mechanisms in this case has therefore drawn scrutiny, though no official clarification has been provided.
Attempts to seek comment from Director of School Education Nitish Singla have gone unanswered.
As of now, more than two months since the complaint was filed, no interim action has been taken, and the accused continues to attend school as usual, raising concerns about workplace safety and adherence to mandated procedures.
