The internal complaints committee of the Administrative Staff College of India has stated that four out of the five complaints regarding workplace harassment, where a woman faculty member had accused
The internal complaints committee of the Administrative Staff College of India has stated that four out of the five complaints regarding workplace harassment, where a woman faculty member had accused former IAS official and director-general ASCI Ravi Kant, had taken place.
The victim had filed four complaints of sexual harassment of which one allegation, pertaining to a phone call made on June 15, 2015, by the D-G, has been proven.
The investigation report on the complaints regarding sexual harassment, a copy of which is with the district collector, states: “The allegation of sexual harassment in terms of unwelcome verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature has been proved. The committee has noted that incidents of unsolicited attempts to build a personal relationship with the women, attempt to discuss matters of heath in detail, particularly when the women was uncomfortable, and sending a visual chart of exercise, have occurred. The committee views that this amounts to sexual harassment. However, other allegations like making sexual coloured remarks are not proved. The testimony of the witness and evidence available suggest that there is a connection between this incident of workplace harassment.”
Meanwhile the findings on the complaint regarding work place harassment states: “The aggrieved woman has been subjected to work place harassment by the director general (respondent 1) while respondent 2, the register, has played a very minimal role . The committee concludes that respondent 1 had created an intimidating environment for the woman. The director general and registrar showed double standards while acknowledging her presence on campus and involving her in official responsibility, selectively. The feeling of hurt by the women is justified.”
However the four established findings on work harassment are not connected to the proven allegation of sexual harassment complaint.
The senior women staffer of ASCI had accused the director general of ASCI, Mr Ravi Kant, of sexual and work harassment . The victim had made five allegations in July 2015 all of which he had denied. She has also initiated a legal battle.
