15 September,2026 09:22 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
DCW has asked JNU to provide details of the action taken on a complaint reportedly submitted by students in May. File pic
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has sought a report from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration within three days over allegations of sexual harassment made by female students against a professor.
DCW Chairperson Lata Gupta took suo motu cognisance of a video circulating on social media in which students alleged that they had submitted a complaint against the professor to JNU Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit in May 2026. The students claimed that no appropriate action had been taken on their complaint so far.
Gupta said complaints of sexual harassment involving women or students must be handled fairly, promptly and sensitively, in accordance with the law and prescribed procedures.
In its notice to JNU, the Commission sought details about the action taken by the university on the complaint reportedly submitted by the students in May.
The DCW specifically asked: "What action has been taken by the JNU administration on the complaint reportedly submitted by the students in May 2026 and whether the complaint was referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted under the POSH Act."
The Commission also sought clarification on whether the complaint was placed before the ICC and, if so, what action the committee has taken so far.
It further asked the university to explain the reasons if no action had been taken on the complaint.
Gupta said the DCW's objective was to ensure that every complaint is examined through due process and that complainants are not denied access to justice because of administrative inaction or delay.
The Commission's official statement said the DCW will examine the report submitted by JNU and decide on further necessary action based on the facts and findings available on record.
The notice also asked JNU to provide the status of the inquiry and details of the action taken by the university and its ICC regarding the complaint filed by the female students.
"The Action Taken Report (ATR) along with relevant details is to be submitted before the Commission," the notice said.
The DCW's intervention comes after the students' allegations were circulated through a video on social media, prompting the women's panel to seek details from the university regarding the handling of the complaint.
(With inputs from IANS)
