The Delhi High Court has stayed the suspension of Principal of Ramanujan College, University of Delhi, who had been suspended by the College’s Governing Body on 18 September 2025 following complaints of alleged harassment made by three Assistant Professors.
The Court noted that the complaints were initially examined by a committee set up by the Deputy Registrar of Colleges, which in its report of 23 June 2025 observed that the allegations potentially constituted sexual harassment and should be referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Delhi University. Despite this, the College proceeded to suspend the Principal without referring the matter to the ICC.
Justice Sachin Datta held that under Section 12 of the POSH Act, 2013 and the UGC Regulations, 2015, the ICC alone has exclusive jurisdiction to recommend interim measures, including suspension. The Governing Body could not bypass this statutory process. The Court therefore granted an interim stay on the suspension order, directing that the ICC consider afresh whether any interim measures are warranted and to expedite the inquiry.
The Court also cautioned the petitioner against any act that may disturb the complainants and clarified that the matter remains subject to further orders. The case will next be heard on 15 October 2025.
Appearances:
Petitioner: Ms. Geeta Luthra (Sr. Adv) along with Mr. Lakshay Saini, Ms. Prashansika Thakur, Ms. Shalini Singh, Ms. Jogita Verma, Ms. Shriya Singh, Advs.
Respondents: Mr. Mohinder J.S. Rupal, Mr. Hardik Rupal, Ms. Aishwarya Malhotra, Advs. for University of Delhi
Ms. Alisha Roy, Mr. Sidhant Awasthy, Ms. Piyali Sarkar, Advs. for R2
Mr. Nikhil Goel (Sr. Adv) along with Mr. Sahil Raveen, Ms. Riddhi Jain, Mr. Aditya Roy, Advs. for R3 & R5