The Constitution of India provides for equality of status and opportunity as well as the right to live with personal liberty and human dignity. These mandates make the right to have a safe workplace and educational institution campus a legal right, and sexual harassment at the workplace/campus is a gross violation of it.

In compliance with the instructions of National Commission for Women and guidelines issued in implementation of the directives of Honourable Supreme Court Judgement dated August 13, 1997 in the case of Visakha and Others vs. State of Rajasthan and Others and The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) and the University Grants Commission (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015 (UGC Regulations) on the subject of sexual harassment of women in the workplace, Heramba Chandra College had duly constituted an Internal Complaint Committee for considering complaints of sexual harassment of women studying or working in the college campus.

This committee has been reconstituted on 07.10.2021. It is important for both the higher education institution, and its employees and students to be completely aware of their rights, duties and the redressal mechanisms under the POSH Act, and the UGC Regulations.

Members :
  • 1. Ms Sharmistha Dasgupta - Convenor/Presiding Officer
  • 2. Ms Soma Chakraborty (External Member)
  • 3. Ms Tanusree Hansda
  • 4. Dr Ranjan Kumar Auddy
  • 5. Mr Ratan Kumar Kanjilal
  • 6. Ms Dipita Bhattacharjee

What constitutes Sexual Harassment :

Sexual harassment, in general, can be understood as an unwanted conduct with sexual undertones if it occurs or which is persistent and which demeans, humiliates or creates a hostile and intimidating environment is calculated to induce submission by actual or threatened adverse consequences

Acts that can be considered as sexual harassment :

Sexual harassment includes one or all of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour, whether directly or by implication :

  • Physical contact or advances
  • A demand or request for sexual favours
  • Making sexually coloured remarks
  • Showing pornography or asking if you want to see pornography
  • Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature

What are the possible actions that can be taken against the respondent :
  • Warning
  • Written apology
  • Bond of Good behaviour
  • Adverse remark in the confidential report
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal
  • Any other relevant actions

If you think you are harassed or being harassed, what should you do?

Send an email to [email protected] or submit a written complaint to any of the ICC members.

You may also refer to http://www.shebox.nic.in/

Central Helpline number for prevention of sexual harassment : 1800-111-656

Email : [email protected]

Your complaint will be kept CONFIDENTIAL.

To know more about ICC procedures click here.