Retirement rap on 2 SRFTI profs in harass case

Kolkata: Two faculty members of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), accused of sexual harassment, have been asked to go on compulsory retirement.
The Internal Complaints Committee had recommended their dismissal, which would mean they would not be able to apply for government jobs, but the SRFTI governing council opted for a milder punishment that left this option open. According to sources, the inquiry found them guilty of abusing their position as faculty members and state employees.
One of the complainants said, "We faced violence and intimidation on campus. We have been called liars. The only thing that kept me going is the faith that justice will prevail and it has." One of her complaints was that a professor asked her to have "sex" with her cinematographer. "He has been making sexist remarks. Once, he encouraged a male student to sleep with another complainant. He placed a bet to see if the student would actually manage to do it," she said.
Another complainant said, "I am so happy with the order. The institute has shown it has zero-tolerance for sexual harassment cases. Now, I want justice for my other complaint of rape against a faculty member."
Both professors insist they have been framed and want to move court. "I am confident I will win," said an accused teacher. "I don't accept any of the charges. I have no faith in the institute and the report it sent me. I have been framed by people with vested interests. Something that could have been sorted out with a warning across the table has been blown out of proportion. There was no offence that merited this punishment."
The second professor said, "The ICC had recommended our dismissal which would be a disqualification for any future employment. But the final order has asked us to go for compulsory retirement." He said he has come to know at least two lawyers and an ex-judge of Calcutta HC have found "loopholes" in the ICC report. "Even the institute chairman was not in favour of jumping the gun. He had maintained the ICC report needs to be vetted by legal experts. I am moving court against the report. It is biased and isn't legally tenable," he said.
Union minister Babul Supriyo, who had called up filmmaker Sandip Ray, to be part of an inquiry panel, said: "It is important for the executive to be proactive on specific allegations, especially if they are grave. That's our job. All have the right to approach the judiciary. I don't wish to comment on it."QUOTES
SRFTI has set an example by passing this order against two faculty members. In future, we hope that any student who feels abused will be able to get justice faster.