Madras HC: No Interference In Sexual Harassment Probe Against Prof

The Madras High Court denies quashing the show-cause notice issued to assistant professor of Madras Christian College. Professor Samuel Tennyson of the Zoology Department is facing sexual harassment charges from 34 female students. The alleged harassment occurred during a college trip to Karnataka where out of seven teachers; only two female teachers were present during the trip.

Tennyson filed a writ petition to quash the fact-finding report of the college's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). The report testifies the charges against him stating that professor harassed those 34 female students during the trip. According to him, the ICC did not give him certain documents and statements he had sought to defend himself. Denying all the charges the college has made clear that the professor was given sufficient opportunity to defend himself.

The college authority has barred him from the paper — evaluation work and internal examinership for the end semester 2018-2019. Also, he won't be allowed to accompany students on tour for at least three years.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Justice S Vaidyanathan declined the petition on “no justifiable ground to interfere with the fact-finding report.” 
• Professor Samuel Tennyson is facing sexual harassment charges from 34 female students.
• Madras High court also pointed out the need to amend laws to prevent the misuse of the law by women. Also highlighting the fact that how Christian missionaries are always attacked for forceful religious conversions.

Madras High Court Judgement

Declining the petition, Justice S Vaidyanathan, said that there is no justifiable ground to interfere with the fact-finding report as well as the second show-cause notice. However, Justice Vaidyanathan recommended the government to amend the law to safeguard the innocent. Stating the example of how the laws which were initially designed for women’s welfare, are misused by many female colleagues for revenge purposes.

“It is the right time for the government to think of suitable amendment in those laws in order to prevent its misuse. Also to safeguard the interest of the innocent masculinity too. Certain laws lend themselves to easy misuse that women will find it hard to resist. The temptation to ‘teach a lesson to the male members’ and will file frivolous and false cases. A similar trend is already being observed in the case of anti-dowry law (498-A), which is being misused to such an extent that the Supreme Court has termed it legal terrorism,” said the Judge, Outlook reported.

The Judge also pointed out that Christian missionaries are always attacked for forceful religious conversions. There is a mutual fear amongst parents’ especially of female student's parents, regarding their child's safety.

Attack on Christians

The Judge also pointed out that Christian missionaries are always attacked for forceful religious conversions. There is a mutual fear amongst parents’ especially of female student's parents, regarding their child's safety. They believe that co-educational schools are unsafe for their future. “Christian missionaries are always on the source of the attack in one way or the other and in the present era. There are several accusations against them for indulging in the compulsory conversion of people from other religions,” said the judge. Further adding to his statement he said, “As long as a religion is practised in streets in lieu of its worship places such devastation, as in the present case, does (sic) occur and will be mushrooming.” The Hindu reported.

Justice S Vaidyanathan has directed the Madras High Court to send the copy of his judgement to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

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Divya Tripathi is an intern with SheThePeople.TV