Suresh Gopi accused of delaying action against sexual harassment at SRFTI
text_fieldsThe actor-turned-politician, Suresh Gopi, who is a BJP Union Minister of State and the chairperson of the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), is accused of delaying action on the recommendations of the institute’s Internal Committee (IC) regarding a sexual harassment complaint.
Women Against Sexual Harassment (WASH), a Kolkata-based forum run by survivors of sexual violence on campus alleged that the SRFTI chairman has been found to be hesitant to take action against a top official in the institution, months after the Internal Committee’s preliminary investigation into the complaint filed by a former student and assistant professor. The complaint included allegations of physical assault, sexual harassment, casteist remarks, criminal intimidation, blackmail, threats, and the use of abusive and vulgar language, The News Minute reported.
According to WASH, the complainant reached out to the forum due to the institute’s delay in addressing the case, which remains unresolved even after more than two months since the IC’s preliminary report was submitted.
Under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act), an IC inquiry should be completed within 90 days of receiving a complaint. However, the complainant has expressed concern over the lack of progress, even after the report was finalized in October.
The accusations against the accused official—a senior staff member at SRFTI—include sexual harassment, physical assault, casteist remarks, criminal intimidation, and blackmail, among others. The complaint was filed on May 9, and despite the investigation being completed, the Governing Council, headed by Gopi, has not acted on the findings, delaying the start of the next stage of the inquiry.
According to WASH, Gopi is also responsible for signing the charge sheet necessary for the continuation of the investigation. The forum has criticized the delay, stating that it undermines the process and could be an attempt to dilute the charges. Furthermore, despite the preliminary findings recommending that the accused be removed from the SRFTI campus during the inquiry, the High Court recently quashed the order to transfer him, allowing the official to remain in his position, though not on campus.
In the midst of the ongoing investigation, the accused has approached the Calcutta High Court to contest the IC's findings. The court has not interfered with the preliminary report, but it did set a six-month deadline for the final inquiry to be completed by December 20. WASH has raised concerns over the systemic challenges faced by the complainant, citing the reluctance of lawyers to take up her case after learning of the accused’s influential position.
WASH highlights the survivor's courage in coming forward, despite threats and pressure from the accused, who allegedly used his powerful connections to intimidate her. The forum also points out that the delay in justice sends a dangerous message to other women who might face similar harassment.
The case has drawn attention to SRFTI’s history of sexual harassment allegations, which previously led to the forced retirement of two professors.