UT seeks police probe into harassment of 24 teachers

CHANDIGARH: In fresh escalation of a workplace harassment case in a govt school, the UT education secretary has formally written to the SSP, seeking a criminal inquiry into a complaint signed by 24 women staff members. The issue was first taken up at the highest administrative level through the administrator's office.

The education department has enclosed the complaint forwarded by the officer on special duty (OSD) to the UT administrator in its communication to the SSP. Marked "most urgent", the letter asks the police to "examine and investigate the matter thoroughly" and records that the complaint contains "serious allegations including sexual harassment, academic victimisation and related irregularities."

Senior police officials confirmed receipt of the letter. SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said it was received on Thursday and the area SHO has been directed to visit the school on Saturday. The SHO will interact with everyone concerned and carry out preliminary verification. Further action will be taken as per the law, the SSP said.

The development places the case on a third track, alongside an ongoing departmental inquiry and proceedings before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The education department had issued a transfer order as an interim administrative measure, but CAT stayed that order. During the hearing on April 29, the department did not place detailed submissions on record, according to sources aware of the proceedings.

The original complaint, submitted on Feb 12 to the school's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), has been signed by 24 woman staff members and alleges a pattern of behaviour including abusive and gendered language, intimidation, and unwelcome physical proximity. The complainants have stated that the conduct created a "hostile, unsafe and humiliating work environment".

Sources said no interim safeguards were put in place for over two months.
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