GDGU Internal Complaint Committee
Internal Complaints Committee at GD Goenka University functions as per the provisions contained in the Regulations on Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Vishaka Guidelines against Sexual Harassment at Workplace and UGC Gazette Notification on Prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions Regulations 2015.
Punishments, if found Guilty of Sexual Harassment
Under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 & UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015, anyone can file a Complaint, if one is being sexually harassed.
- Anyone found Guilty of sexual harassment shall be punished in accordance with the service rules (teaching/non-teaching) of the University.
- Where the respondent is a student, depending upon the severity of the offence, the university may.
- Withold privileges of the student such as access to the library, Auditoria, Halls of residence, Transportation, Scholarships, allowances and identity card.
- Suspend or restrict entry into the campus for the specific period.
- Expel and strike off name from the rolls of the institution, including denial of readmission, if the offence so warrants.
- Award reformative punishments like mandatory counselling and performance of community service.
Action against Frivolous Complaint
If the ICC concludes that the allegations made were false, malicious or untrue, the complainant shall be liable to be punished as per provisions of the POSH Act & UGC (Prevention, Prohibition and redressal of sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015.
Complaint Mechanism
Procedure for Registering Complaints
- The complaint mechanism is secure, easy to access, and sensitive.
- Complaints can be submitted in writing or via email on icc@gdgu.org to any committee member within three months of the incident.
- The receiving member must inform the Chairperson within two working days.
- Meetings require at least five days' notice, except in emergencies.
- Within 10 days, the committee will decide if an inquiry is needed.
- If no inquiry is conducted, reasons must be recorded and shared with the complainant.
- No complainant, witness, or defendant can be a committee member during the inquiry.
- Filing a complaint will not negatively impact the complainant’s job, grades, or status.
Enquiry by the Committee Against Sexual Harassment
- The committee will follow natural justice and gender sensitivity, completing the inquiry within 90 days.
- Separate hearings will be held to ensure a safe environment, and all identities will be protected.
- The complainant may have one representative, and both parties can present witnesses and evidence.
- If the defendant misses three hearings without reason, the committee may decide the case ex parte.
- All proceedings will be documented, and complainants may go public but are advised to wait until the inquiry is complete.
- Only written questions via the committee will be allowed, ensuring no direct confrontation.
- The committee can summon official papers, and parties must ensure their witnesses appear.
- Participants must maintain confidentiality, and case details will not be disclosed under the Right to Information Act.
- The committee recognizes that direct evidence may not always be available and will handle cases accordingly.
- A detailed report of findings, evidence, and conclusions will be prepared after the inquiry.
- After the inquiry, the committee will dismiss baseless complaints or, if proven, recommend disciplinary action based on the severity of the offense.
ICC Members
