As per the guidelines of UGC and the Supreme Court an Anti Sexual Harassment Cell has been established by the Indian Institute of Legal Studies, Siliguri, Dist- Darjeling to provide a healthy and congenial atmosphere to the staff and students of the University. The cell was constituted to meet the four basic objectives:

  • a) To develop the guidelines and norms for a policy against sexual harassment.
  • b) To develop principles and procedures for combating sexual harassment.
  • c) To work out details for the implementation of the policy.
  • d) To prepare a detailed plan of action, both short and long term.

CONSTITUTION OF INTERNAL COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE (ICC) UNDER THE SEXUAL HARRASSEMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013 IN COMPLAIANCE WITH THE VISHAKA GUIDELINES

The Committee against Sexual Harassment is formed as part of a larger institutional framework for the creation of a safe, equitable and inclusive campus environment. The Committees chief mandate includes considering complaints or grievances in relation to sexual harassment offences committed by students, faculty, staff and visitors on campus, and awareness-raising. The evolution of Committee has followed its own guiding ethic, of inclusion, from the very start. The drafting and deliberation process has been highly participative with all primary stakeholders involved at each stage. The result has been the Indian Institute of Legal Studies Sexual Harassment regulations and policy, which are nearing finalization after due deliberation with faculty and students. The participation of students, in particular, has ensured that the policy reflects the unique concerns and dynamics of a vibrant and diverse student population. The Committee is open to all persons of all positions and genders. It is also linked to the counselling cell and restorative justice wing so that any person facing any difficulty has a range of interventions, support systems and mechanisms apart from a formal complaints process to choose from.

We understand that awareness and sensitization are crucial to preventing sexual harassment. The Committee conducts sensitization aimed at facilitating respectful interaction between people and empowering people to speak out about any experience of harassment or any barriers that they face in college. The present Committee consists of seven members and is headed by Dr. T.K Chatterjee, Director of Indian Institute of Legal Studies. It is assisted by a support group of faculty and student volunteers all of whom have undergone training for responding to people in distress and supporting them through any formal action or procedure or any external authority. It is hoped that with the institution of this Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) all persons in Indian Institute of Legal Studies will have a safe space to turn to in light of any difficulty and that the campus environment will be conducive to the growth and flourishing of all. In case of any grievances, please email iils.siliguri@gmail.com.

CONSTITUTION OF THE INTERAL COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE (ICC) UNDER HE SEXUAL HARRASMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013 IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VISHAKA GUIDELINES

SECTION 4. CONSTITUTION OF INTERNAL COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE:

  • 1) Every employer of a workplace shall, by an order in writing, constitute a Committee to be known as the Internal Complaints Committee: Provided that where the offices or administrative units of the workplace are located at different places or divisional or sub- divisional level, the Internal Committee shall be constituted at all administrative units or offices.
  • 2) The Internal Committee shall consist of the following members to be nominated by the employer, namely: -
    • a) A Presiding Officer who shall be a woman employed at a senior level at workplace from amongst the employees: Provided that in case a senior level woman employee is not available, the Presiding Officer shall be nominated from other offices or administrative units of the workplace referred to in the sub section(1): Provided further that in case the other offices or administrative units of the work place do not have a senior level woman employee, the Presiding Officer shall be nominated from any other workplace of the same employer or other department or organization;
    • b) Not less than two members from amongst employees preferably committed to the cause of women or who have had experience in social work or have legal knowledge;
    • c) One member from amongst Non - Governmental Organisations or associations committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues relating to sexual harassment: Provided that atleast one- half of the total members so nominated shall be women.
  • 3) The Presiding Officer and every member of the Internal Committee shall hold office for such period, not exceeding three years, from the date of their nomination as may be specified by the employer.
  • 4) The member appointed from amongst the Non - Governmental Organizations or associations shall be paid such fees or allowances for holding the proceedings of the Internal Committee, by the employer, as may be prescribed.
  • 5) Where the Presiding Officer or any member of the Internal Committee
    • a) Contravenes the provisions of Section 16; or
    • b) Has been convicted for an offence or an inquiry into an offence under any law for the time being in force is pending against him; or
    • c) He has been found guilty in any disciplinary proceedings or a disciplinary proceeding is pending against him; or
    • d) Has so abused his position as to render his continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest, such Presiding Officer or member, as the case may be, shall be removed from the Committee and the vacancy so created or any casual vacancy shall be filled by fresh nomination in accordance with the provision of this section.

As per the Office Memorandum issued by the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India dated 12th November, 2014, every employer is under an obligation to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee in all workplace in compliance of the provisions stated under Sec. 4 of the said Act, 2013.

The Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) comprises of followings:

Important Links:

  • Anti Sexual Harassment cell at Indian Institute of Legal Studies: Definition and functions
  • Vishaka guidelines against sexual harassment
  • Handbook on Sexual Harassment Of Women at Workplace
  • GOI instructions regarding prevention of sexual harassment

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