Women Commission Summons Punjabi University ‘Don’, PUTA President Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ November 10,2025
Chairperson, Punjab Women Commission has summoned Punjabi University Dean, Head (Law Department) and President Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) Bhupinder Singh Virk and Varinder Kaushik, former Registrar, Dean, Faculty Law and Prof (now retired) of Punjabi University Patiala along with others in an alleged Sexual Harassment complaint lodged by an Assistant Professor in Law, Punjab School of Law, Punjabi University Patiala on November 11,2025 at 10:00 am at Commission’s office, Chandigarh.
Commission has taken the cognizance on the complaint filed by Olivia (name changed) an Assistant Professor in Law, Punjab School of Law, Punjabi University Patiala for ‘Continuous sexual harassment’.
As per the complainant, “they are pressurizing her to withdraw her sexual harassment complaints filed against Varinder Kaushik (Retd Professor), and Bhupinder Virk, Dean & Head, Law Department and President , Punjabi University Teacher’s Association. Both of them exploit their influential positions”.
The complainant in her complaint said “Virk is misusing his position as PUTA President and has pressurized the University and thereby an hostile environment has been created for me in which it is very difficult to survive with so much harassment and humiliation. My screening for promotion under CAS was scheduled for 23 rd May, 2025, which at the last moment was abruptly stalled at the instance of Virk. Further my headship in the Punjab School of Law, was due on 28 th October 2025 and the file was moved in this respect, but at the last moment, the same has also been stalled and not only this, the same has been offered to Dr.Yaswinder Kaur for the second consecutive term against the rules. Further despite objection and protest by students hostel students, i have been unceremoniously removed from the post of warden of hostel, CC Sports and R type Flats, thus pressure is being built upon me from all corners to withdraw my complaint.
She further added in her complaint that “as per section 3(2) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 creating hostile environment by stalling promotion ,declining headship, withdrawing teaching assignments, removed from the post of warden of hostel constitutes sexual harassment. The relevant provision of section 3(2) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is reproduced as under:
“Section 3. Prevention of sexual harassment.
(1) No woman shall be subjected to sexual harassment at any workplace.
(2) The following circumstances, among other circumstances, if it occurs, or is present in relation to
or connected with any act or behavior of sexual harassment may amount to sexual harassment:—
(i) implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in her employment; or
(ii) implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in her employment ; or
(iii) implied or explicit threat about her present or future employment status; or
(iv) interference with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for her; or
(v) humiliating treatment likely to affect her health or safety.”
In her complaint to the Women Commission, she said “It is therefore requested that action may also be initiated against the authorities/ persons who are hand in glove and have aided to and conspired with Virk and Kaushik in further harassing, torturing and humiliating me and have created hostile environment for me by stalling my promotion headship and removed from the post of warden. I therefore request that suitable action may be taken in this respect and concerned authorities may be directed that no such adverse action may be taken against me without the permission of the committee. It may be further directed that my promotion matter, headship issue and warden post related files be placed before the Prevention of Sexual harassment committee , matter may be examined by the committee and appropriate directions may be issued to the concerned authorities in this respect .”
When contacted the Punjabi University ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Cell’ head, Prof. Manruchi Kaur she said “we are already working on her complaint. Our cell has received the compliant around 5 weeks ago and we have to submit the report in 90 days. We have already conducted three meetings and our next meeting is scheduled on November 13, 2025.”
When contacted Varinder Kaushik, he said “the women commission has already filed the earlier complaint lodged against me in 2022. Now, she has filed a fresh complaint against me along with Bhupinder Virk.”
Meanwhile Bhupinder Virk could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
