German National Volunteering In India Moves Kerala High Court Alleging Sexual Harassment By NGO's General Secretary, Notice Issued

The Kerala High Court, on Tuesday, issued notice on a plea moved by a German national seeking initiation of criminal proceedings against the General Secretary of Sister Hatune Foundation, Asia Sector, for various criminal offences committed by him, including the offence of Sexual Harassment. 

Justice N. Nagaresh has also stayed the operation of the Exit Permit which was issued to the German national, who was working as a volunteer teacher at the NGO, till 23rd September. 

The petitioner alleges that the General Secretary of the foundation made sexual advances towards her and committed sexual offences with the girl students in the institution. She also alleged that the General Secretary collected fees for imparting lessons to the students, which was not contemplated by the foundation. 

The petitioner averred that when she objected and tried to disclose these facts, the General Secretary fabricated a termination letter of the Foundation and communicated the same to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (3rd respondent), who without conducting any enquiry cancelled the petitioner's visa which expires only in March 2023 and issued an exit permit asking the petitioner to leave India on or before 10th September. 

The petitioner contends that the cancellation of her visa without conducting an inquiry or affording her an opportunity to be heard is arbitrary and illegal. 

The plea moved through Advocate Raghul Sudheesh thus seeks a direction to the Central Government and the Bureau of Immigration to initiate an enquiry into the validity of the alleged termination of her service and also to initiate proceedings against the General Secretary for the various criminal offences committed by him.

The Court has issued issued notices to the General Secretary of the NGO, the Central Government, the Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration and the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer. 

Case Title: xxxxxx v. Union of India & Ors.