SRFTI chairperson Suresh Gopi issues chargesheet in sexual harassment enquiry
Suresh Gopi, actor and BJP Minister of State, who is also the chairperson of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Insititute of India (SRFTI), has signed and issued the chargesheet in an inquiry of sexual harassment, which had allegedly been before him for weeks. Two days ago TNM reported about the alleged delay in the chairperson’s action, as reported by the forum Women Against Sexual Harassment, which is run by survivors of sexual violence in Kolkata's campuses. On Tuesday, January 21, WASH reported that the complainant in the sexual harassment case informed them that the chargesheet has been issued, which will allow the second stage of the inquiry, by the Internal Committee, to proceed, as per the POSH Act, or the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act. The preliminary report was submitted to the governing council (headed by Suresh Gopi) on October 31, 2024. According to the POSH Act, an IC inquiry should be completed within 90 days of the complaint. “While this is a victory for the complainant, we would like to point out that she has had to protest and push SRFTI authorities EVERY step of the way just to ensure that the due process is followed. We hope that from here on, SRFTI stands by the complainant and ensures that the ICC is allowed to carry on with the second stage of the inquiry without hassles. It shouldn't be this difficult for survivors who speak up to have a shot at justice. It is the bare minimum you can do to right the wrong (sic),” the WASH stated on its Facebook page. The complaint of sexual harassment was made against a powerful official of the institute on May 9, 2024. According to what the complainant told WASH, the accused official has allegedly indulged in "physical assault, sexual harassment, casteist remarks, criminal intimidation, blackmailing, threats, and use of abusive language and vulgar remarks.”
SURESH Gopi, actor and BJP Minister of State, who is also the chairperson of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Insititute of India (SRFTI), has signed and issued the chargesheet in an inquiry of sexual harassment, which had allegedly been before him for weeks.
Two days ago TNM reported about the alleged delay in the chairperson’s action, as reported by the forum Women Against Sexual Harassment, which is run by survivors of sexual violence in Kolkata's campuses.
On Tuesday, January 21, WASH reported that the complainant in the sexual harassment case informed them that the chargesheet has been issued, which will allow the second stage of the inquiry, by the Internal Committee, to proceed, as per the POSH Act, or the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act.
The preliminary report was submitted to the governing council (headed by Suresh Gopi) on October 31, 2024. According to the POSH Act, an IC inquiry should be completed within 90 days of the complaint.
“While this is a victory for the complainant, we would like to point out that she has had to protest and push SRFTI authorities EVERY step of the way just to ensure that the due process is followed. We hope that from here on, SRFTI stands by the complainant and ensures that the ICC is allowed to carry on with the second stage of the inquiry without hassles. It shouldn't be this difficult for survivors who speak up to have a shot at justice. It is the bare minimum you can do to right the wrong (sic),” the WASH stated on its Facebook page.
The complaint of sexual harassment was made against a powerful official of the institute on May 9, 2024. According to what the complainant told WASH, the accused official has allegedly indulged in "physical assault, sexual harassment, casteist remarks, criminal intimidation, blackmailing, threats, and use of abusive language and vulgar remarks.”
