GHRC takes cognisance of IFFI sexual misconduct case Published on: November 28, 2013 - 01:02
More in: Goa News PANAJI: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) on Wednesday took a suo moto in the alleged incident of sexual harassment wherein a 25-year-old Delhi based girl accused an International Film Festival of India (IFFI) official for asking her indirect sexual favours on the intervening night of November 16 at Old GMC complex. Considering the seriousness in the matter the GHRC called upon the IFFI director to submit a detailed report of the incident on or before December 2 and also asked for the action taken by the sexual harassment committee. The three member commission in their order has mentioned that looking at the urgency in the matter, the report has to be submitted on or before December 2, and there should not be any prayer for an adjournment; if the respondent fails to furnish the report the commission will view the matter very seriously. The commission wanted to know whether the complaint made before the director discloses any cognisable offence under IPC, if so, whether the director has filed an FIR before the police. GHRC has taken serious cognisance of the matter based on the Navhind Times report of Novembers 23. Media reports have stated that on November 16 night a senior officer of the rank of deputy director made a lewd suggestion asking for indirect sexual favors to a 25-year-old Delhi based girl who was on an assignment to assist the Soul of Asia and World Cinema sections. She later lodged a complaint with IFFI director Shankar Mohan. Following the complaint, the IFFI directorate formed a three member committee comprising of Nirupama Kotru, director (films) with Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry and two more women officials associated with the film festival. The panel gave several recommendations to the organisers to have a better working atmosphere for women staffers. The victim, who said that she was deeply traumatized by the event, informed her family in Delhi of the incident who asked her to return home.