Maulana Azad University Accused of Withholding Sexual Harassment Report

Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) is facing mounting criticism over its handling of a sexual harassment complaint, with the institution accused of failing to provide transparency in the investigation process. The university's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) completed its investigation into the matter, but university administration has declined to furnish a copy of the report to the person who filed the complaint, raising questions about procedural fairness and institutional accountability.

The complainant has made multiple attempts to obtain the investigation report, escalating the matter to the Department of Higher Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. However, these interventions have reportedly failed to prompt any substantive action or resolution from either governmental body, leaving the complainant without access to findings that directly concern them.

The refusal to share the ICC report contravenes standard practices for sexual harassment grievance mechanisms in educational institutions, which are typically required under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. Transparency in such investigations is considered essential to ensure confidence in institutional processes and protect the rights of complainants.

The incident highlights broader concerns about the implementation of anti-harassment protocols at central universities and the responsiveness of oversight bodies to grievance escalations. MANUU has not issued a public statement regarding the matter at the time of reporting.