Sexual Harassment Allegations Against ITI Instructor Dismissed by LG; Emphasis on Responsible Use of Law

 

 Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has cleared a craft instructor working in the Directorate of Training and Technical Education of sexual harassment charges that had accused him of making inappropriate comments, taking photographs and videos of female colleagues, and allegedly posting them online without consent.

 

In his role as appellate authority, the LG determined that despite the internal complaints committee (ICC) partially substantiating the allegations, the disciplinary action taken—removing the instructor from his position—was excessive and lacked full justification.

 

The case originated from a complaint filed on May 1, 2019, by the librarian of Nand Nagri ITI. She alleged the instructor repeatedly entered the library without official work, made objectionable remarks, and filmed women without their consent. She also accused him of issuing threats and engaging in physical intimidation.

 

While the ICC’s inquiry in July 2020 initially found the allegations “proved,” a subsequent review in December 2023 revised this assessment to “partially proved.” The report cited that while a short video was indeed recorded at the librarian’s request during a lunch break, no evidence showed it had ever been shared on social media. Several witnesses, including the principal and staff members, stated there was no objection at the time and the environment remained cordial.

The instructor, with an unblemished 30-year service record and no prior disciplinary action, challenged the penalty before the Central Administrative Tribunal. On appeal, LG Saxena noted that the complainant herself had participated in the video and later sought to use it against the instructor amid unrelated performance disputes.

 

In exonerating the appellant, the LG stressed that misuse of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, not only harms the reputation and career of the wrongly accused but also erodes public trust in protections meant for genuine victims. “If invoked without genuine grievances, it undermines the Act’s spirit and effectiveness,” Saxena warned, observing that such misuse risks creating divisions within workplaces.

 

He concluded, “While the purpose of this Act is to ensure a respectful and safe working environment, its misapplication runs counter to the very philosophy it was designed to uphold.”