DCW issues notice to police, registrar in JNU sexual harassment case

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) today issued a notice to the Vasant Kunj Police Station, seeking status report and reasons for not arresting JNU professor Atul Johri in a sexual harassment case.

The women's panel said it has received a representation from the students of the School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, regarding the alleged sexual harassment of women students by Johri.

"The Commission considers this a serious matter related to the safety and security of the young women. Further, we have been informed that the complainants are protesting lack of arrest of the accused," the commission said, while seeking the information latest by March 23.

It has also issued a notice to the JNU registrar, seeking to know what safeguards have been taken to ensure the safety and security of the complainants and whether the present complaint is being looked into by the Internal Complainants Committee (ICC).

It also sought to know the composition of the ICC as well as the action taken by the committee in the matter till now.

It further asked the Registrar if the complaints of sexual harassment against the accused have been registered in the past.

"If yes. Provide details of the complaints so made. The action taken on those complaints," the Commission said in its notice.

"The present complaints appear to display a pattern of sexual assault at workplace. Hence, we recommend swift action in the matter and ensuring that the complainants are able to pursue their studies as well as their complaints in a free and fearless environment," it said.

Meanwhile, JNU students today took out a protest march to the Vasant Kunj Police Station, demanding Johri's arrest and accused the police of "inaction" in the sexual harassment case.

"Even four days after eight women students came out filing a sexual harassment complaint against the professor, there has been no action against the professor. And just one FIR has been filed against him," JNUSU Vice President Simone Zoya Khan said.

Deputy commissioner of police (Southwest) Milind Dumbere said that they are dealing with the matter as per law.

"Notice has been issued to the professor and he has been called tomorrow to join the investigation," the officer said.

The JNUSU in a statement, however said, "Delhi Police has postponed the recording of Atul Johri till tomorrow. This could have been done today itself. We believe that the postponement is being done to delay his recording and give him more time. Since now FIRs have been registered, he should be interrogated in custody and not given time to protect himself. By giving him more time Delhi Police is actively protecting him.