GNLU Constitutes Committee Headed By Former SC Judge Indu Malhotra To Review Varsity's Affairs Following Sexual Harassment Allegations

The Gujarat National Law University has constituted a High Level Review Committee (HLRC) tasked with evaluating the university's performance over the last five years, following recent complaints of sexual harassment within the institution.

The varsity informed the High Court, which had taken suo moto taken cognizance of rape allegations levelled by a second-year law student against her batchmate and alleged harassment of a queer student, that the Committee will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra.

Advocate General Kamal Trivedi further informed the Court about the establishment of a subcommittee tasked with proposing immediate corrective actions based on the confidential report submitted by the fact-finding committee.

The High Court had previously expressed its intention to present the fact-finding committee's report to the varsity's General Council.

On Thursday, the division bench of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee perused State's affidavit which disclosed about formation of HLRC.

"The high level review committee be constituted comprising of Hon'ble Ms Justice Indu Malhotra, former judge, Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, Shri R Venkataramani, learned Attorney General of India and Shri NM Shrivastav former additional chief secretary, Finance Department, Government of Gujarat. This HLRC will review the performance of the university last five years in the field of academics, administration, finance and security of students. The sub-committee, will be visiting the University and and give a report for ensuring that immediate corrective measures for a transparent and vigilante Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is put in place, which should be sensitive, responsible and effective and ensure that there is quick response to any complaint of sexual harassment,” the affidavit said.

It added, “A sub committee be appointed consisting of Miss Manisha Luv Kumar Shah, Additional Advocate General and Senior Advocate of High Court of Gujarat and Mr. Asim Pandya, Senior Advocate of High Court of Gujarat for ensuring that immediate corrective measures, reconstitution of a transparent and resonant … are out in place which should be sensitive, responsible and effective in ensuring that quick response is given to any allegation like sexual harassment against any of the students whether from faculty or students of the University with necessary information in their behalf being displayed at various places in the university.”

Court has now directed the University to ensure that report of the HLRC is placed before the varsity's Executive Council. "The further proceedings in the shape of corrective measures shall be undertaken after the response of the Director of the university is received under the decision of the governing council. As regards the process of filling up the post of the registrar of the university, it is submitted that the said process shall be completed within a reasonable period of time, in an expeditious manner,” it recorded.

Court further directed that the action taken report be submitted before the next date, April 29.