Introduction:

The Gujarat High Court recently concluded a significant chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding alleged incidents of sexual harassment and queerphobia at the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU). The court disposed of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pertaining to rape allegations by a second-year law student against her batchmate.

Arguments:

The registrar of GNLU, Jagadeesh Chandra TG, tendered an unconditional apology to the Gujarat High Court for initially denying incidents of sexual harassment in an affidavit filed in October 2023. The court raised concerns about the registrar’s conduct and the composition of GNLU’s internal complaints committee (ICC). Suggestions included adding more male members to the ICC and implementing mechanisms for anonymous complaints.

Court’s Judgment:

The Chief Justice emphasized the need for measures to restore students’ confidence and ensure their safety on campus. Recommendations included placing complaint boxes on campus to protect the identities of complainants. The court expressed its intention to integrate recommendations into its ruling to enhance the safety of GNLU students and stated that it will be passing a detailed order with suggestions to make the campus safer.