ASCI Professor Challenges Contract Termination Following Sexual Harassment Complaint in Telangana HC
A professor from the Administrative Staff College of India has approached the Telangana High Court, challenging her contract termination. She alleges the decision was a retaliatory act following her formal complaint regarding sexual harassment against the institution's chairman.
Highlights
- •An ASCI professor has challenged her contract termination in the Telangana High Court.
- •The petitioner alleges the termination was retaliation for a sexual harassment complaint against the chairman.
- •She reports that the institution's internal committee failed to follow the 2013 Sexual Harassment Act.
- •The professor refuted poor performance claims by citing Rs 1.87 crore in revenue generated during 2024-25.
The Telangana High Court is currently reviewing a significant sexual harassment complaint involving a professor at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) in Hyderabad. The legal challenge centers on the institution's decision to terminate the employment contract of an assistant professor, a move she claims was direct retaliation for reporting harassment against the organization's chairman.
Legal Battle Over Contract Termination and Harassment Allegations
The petitioner, who began her tenure at the ASCI in December 2010, formally brought her concerns to the National Commission for Women in October 2024. According to her testimony before the court, she asserts that the internal complaints committee established at the institute failed to adhere to the statutory requirements mandated by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. She alleges that her subsequent reports of misconduct were met with punitive actions, including being excluded from professional opportunities and receiving limited contract renewals.
During the hearing presided over by Justice Kaja Sarath, the legal counsel for the petitioner argued that the decision not to renew her contract was a deliberate attempt to silence her. The court has scheduled the next session for this ongoing sexual harassment complaint case to take place on June 22. This high-profile matter underscores the critical need for workplace accountability and the fair treatment of staff members who raise grievances regarding professional misconduct.
Performance Records Contradict Institution Claims
In addition to the harassment claims, the professor has challenged the ASCI’s stated justification for her termination, which the institution cited as poor performance. She presented strong evidence to the court regarding her professional output, highlighting that she generated more than Rs 1.87 crore in revenue for the organization throughout the 2024-25 financial year. By exceeding her performance targets, she seeks to invalidate the institution's claim that her contract was not extended due to an unsatisfactory service record.
The professor also pointed out a concerning pattern of behavior, noting that several other employees have previously expressed similar workplace harassment grievances involving the chairman. As the Telangana High Court continues to examine the details surrounding this sexual harassment complaint, the academic community and the public are closely watching the proceedings. The case remains a focal point for discussions on institutional integrity and the enforcement of women's safety regulations within higher education and administrative bodies across the region.
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