Sexual harassment of student in college: National Commission for Women issues notice to private medical college-cum-hospital in Puducherry

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued notice to a private medical college-cum-hospital in the Union territory of Puducherry after a first-year MBBS student of the college hailing from Chennai lodged a complaint of sexual harassment against a professor. In the notice dated December 19, 2014 addressed to the Chairman of the trust based in Salem that manages the medical college in Puducherry, Commission member Shamina Shafiq directed him to take appropriate action on the complaint and submit the action taken report to the commission within 15 days from the date of receipt of the notice. 

Logo of the National Commission for Women

The first year student, who recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate in Puducherry on December 30 last year, in her complaint to the National Commission for Women alleged that her Professor who is the head of the anatomy department of the college asked her to meet him alone in his room. She said the professor threatened her saying she would not clear the anatomy practical examination if she refused to heed to his demand.

The student claimed that as she did not yield to his demand, she was failed in the anatomy practical paper. The student along with her parents approached the college management seeking action against the professor in November last year. The management, however, failed to initiate action against the professor and the student lodged a complaint with the police. The local Police has registered a FIR against the professor in question, under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty)