On Tuesday (31st October) the Delhi High Court bench comprising of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Pratibha M Singh directed the petitioners, teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), to meet the administration and resolve the issue. The bench intimated their reluctance to give an order in the favour of petitioners, and stated that the administration of JNU had the power to change their rules.
The students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University approached the High Court of Delhi seeking quashing of their Executive Council decision dated 18.09.2017 by which the Gender Sensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) has been replaced with immediate effect with an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) as per the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) Regulations on sexual harassment, 2015.
The petitioners represented by Advocates Suroor Mander, Harsh Parashar and Aman Pandey stated that that matter was not listed for merits and final argument but on the interim application. The petitioners also stated that a copy of the reply was not received by them.
Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain and Advocate Ginny Rautray appearing on behalf of JNU Administration conveyed the need to open the GSCASH room and allow the ICC to conduct their business. However once again the court did not pay heed to the demand and kept the matter pending till the next date of hearing.
Furthermore, they asked about the difference in composition between GSCASH and ICC which was explained as an elected body versus a nominated body.
The judges did not change the original order which ensured that the GSCASH Room will remain closed till 28.11.2017 despite requests by ASG and the JNU Counsel.
The judges have asked the parties to be prepared for final arguments and directed the Teachers to meet the VC on 9th November 2017 to work out a resolution on the issue.
