Delhi Commission for Women seeks JNU report on sexual harassment claims

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has demanded a report from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration regarding sexual harassment allegations made by female students against a professor. Chairperson Lata Gupta took suo motu cognisance of the matter following a social media video in which students claimed they had submitted a formal complaint to Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit in May 2026, but received no appropriate response.

The DCW has issued a notice requiring JNU to submit an Action Taken Report within three days. The commission is seeking clarification on whether the complaint was referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) as mandated by the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. The notice also requests an explanation if no action has been taken to date. The DCW stated its objective is to ensure that complaints are handled fairly, promptly, and in accordance with legal procedures to prevent administrative inaction from depriving students of justice.