SRFTI students protest delay in disciplinary action against dean over POSH findings

Students of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) have urged the institute to take immediate disciplinary action against Dean Vipin Vijay, alleging that the administration has not acted despite an inquiry authority constituted under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act finding him guilty of sexual harassment and other serious misconduct.

The students said the inquiry authority submitted its report in May 2026 after an investigation that lasted more than two years. They alleged that no action has followed, even though nearly two months have elapsed since the report was submitted, Maktoob Media reported.

According to the students' union, the responsibility for implementing the inquiry authority's recommendations rests with SRFTI President Suresh Gopi, who is also the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism. The union alleged that the delay casts doubt on the institute's commitment to enforcing the provisions of the POSH Act.

The case originated in 2024 after a woman employee accused Vijay of physical assault, sexual harassment, caste-based abuse, making obscene remarks and criminal intimidation. Vijay, an alumnus of SRFTI, is a filmmaker and screenwriter known for his experimental and documentary work.

The complainant had earlier approached the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting seeking intervention, alleging that no effective action had been taken on her complaint.

The students pointed out that while the POSH Act requires an Internal Committee to complete its inquiry within 90 days, the proceedings in this case continued for over two years.

They also alleged that an earlier inquiry report had been submitted to the SRFTI Governing Council, but further disciplinary proceedings were delayed. According to the union, the institute's disciplinary committee had prepared a chargesheet, which remained unsigned until media reports highlighted the issue.

Although the Internal Committee submitted its final-stage inquiry report in May 2026, the institute has not publicly disclosed any decision taken on its recommendations. The students noted that the POSH Act requires employers to act on such recommendations within 60 days.

One student described the prolonged delay as deeply discouraging, saying the complainant had already undergone a lengthy process and continued to await justice.

The students' union said it had formally sought immediate implementation of the inquiry report and warned that it would intensify its protest if the institute failed to respond.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the union said the delay in acting on the inquiry findings sends a negative message to survivors of workplace sexual harassment and could undermine confidence in institutional grievance mechanisms.

The union also objected to Vijay's appointment as a non-official member of the organising committee (South Zone) for the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026. It noted that his name appeared in the festival's official records despite the inquiry authority's findings against him.

Calling the appointment inappropriate, the union argued that both SRFTI and MIFF function under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It alleged that allowing Vijay to continue in a public role while disciplinary proceedings remain pending weakens institutional accountability and the credibility of the POSH framework.

The students urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, SRFTI Chairman Suresh Gopi, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), MIFF and other concerned authorities to implement the inquiry authority's recommendations without further delay. They also sought clarification on whether the ministry, NFDC and MIFF officials were informed of the inquiry findings before approving Vijay's appointment.