DCW launches inquiry into alleged cases of harassment

The head of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, called representatives from the Delhi University and Delhi Police to appear before the commission on Monday in response to reports of alleged incidents of sexual harassment involving girls during college festivals.
The official notice states that they must present with information regarding the policies and procedures they have established to make sure that similar situations never arise again. “Therefore, you are hereby required to appear before the Commission on 4 June, 2012, at 2:00 PM, for the aforementioned reason. The official notice from DCW stated, “You will be subject to the repercussions of non-attendance as specified by law if you fail to comply with this order without a valid reason.
This is in reference to the incident of sexual harassment against girls in some colleges of Delhi University.
“In 2020, some people forced their way into Gargi college premises during a fest and molested the girl students. Again, in 2022, some male students forced their way into Miranda College and harassed the girl students. These incidents are emerging repeatedly in colleges of Delhi University which raise serious concerns regarding the safety of girl students therein, especially during a college fest,” read the notice.
Earlier on 29 March, the DCW chief took suo moto cognisance and issued notice to the Delhi Police and Indraprastha (IP) College principal on reports of sexual harassment with students during a fest organised in the college.
The matter pertains to March 25, when it was reported that some boys entered the college during a fest organized therein and harassed the girls. Also, the boys allegedly tried to enter the hostel of the girl students.
DCW chief Maliwal stated, “The incident is extremely unfortunate.
We have seen a number of cases in the past wherein girl students have been harassed by antisocial elements who have forcibly entered colleges, especially during the fest. I have issued notices to Delhi Police and college authorities.”
“The accused must be arrested immediately and action should be taken against persons responsible for a lapse in security. Delhi Police and Delhi University must work together to ensure that such incidents never happen again,” she added.