Delhi University teachers on Tuesday objected to the clean chit given by NCW to the suspended principal of B R Ambedkar college in the Pavitra Bhardwaj self-immolation case, and demanded a copy of the report.
“I was very surprised and disturbed to read in the media about the enquiry report of the NCW, in the case of Pavitra Bhardwaj, giving a clean chit to the Principal of Ambedkar College G K Arora,” Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) President Nandita Narain said.
“I would be grateful for a copy of the NCW report so that there can be some clarity in the University community about the basis on which it has arrived at a conclusion,” she added.
An inquiry panel set up by National Commission for Women had observed that “sexual harassment of Bhardwaj by Arora, was unlikely as the allegations were not substantiated in her earlier letters, where there is no mention of any sexual harassment”.
According to the inquiry report, it was following the administrative and disciplinary action taken by the college administration against her that she “desperately started writing to every possible authority regarding (her sacking). Finding no relief anywhere, she took the drastic step of self-immolation,” the report said.
The NCW panel also recommended a fair probe into the case as per law. Narain refuted NCW’s claim that Bhardwaj had complained about sexual harassment only after disciplinary action against her, saying there was enough evidence to show that she had gone from pillar to post to complain about “physical and mental torture” from Arora much before she was sacked.
“Comments that give the impression of a clean chit will only undermine the confidence of civil society in a national institution such as the NCW,” Narain said.
35-year-old Bhardwaj had set herself afire outside the Delhi Secretariat on September 30. She later succumbed to her injuries on October 7. She had alleged sexual and mental harassment by Arora and another staff member. Police have booked principal Arora on charges of abetment of suicide in connection with Bhardwaj’s death.
Arora, however, has not been arrested yet with police saying they will take appropriate action only after the investigations were completed in the case.