The sexual harassment case regarding Dr. Mitul Baruah was originally referred to Ashoka University by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Over the course of the last year, the University conducted extensive inquiries into the matter. There were some circumstances specific to this case that necessitated protracted inquiries. Throughout this process, Ashoka University was fully committed to seeking truth and justice.
The case was first examined by Ashoka’s Committee Against Sexual Harassment (CASH), which found Prof Baruah not guilty of sexual harassment. This finding was consistent with the finding of the JNU Committee as well, which had also found him not guilty of sexual harassment. However, since the CASH Committee raised some possible concerns about Prof. Baruah’s conduct not relating to sexual harassment, the Ashoka Board of Management appointed another Committee to look into matters pertaining to this case to ensure that no facet was left unexamined. This Committee also concurred with the original finding that there was no case for sexual harassment. Its findings were referred to the Board of Management, which, as per Ashoka Faculty Disciplinary guidelines, referred the findings to a Judicial Committee. All throughout, the proceedings were conducted with an absolute commitment to fairness. The salient points of the process are summarized below:
Ashoka University is fully committed to ensuring a campus that is free of sexual harassment. The commitment and fairness shown by so many of our colleagues during this process illustrates that Ashoka’s processes meet the highest benchmarks of integrity. Respecting the confidentiality of the process requires that we not conduct public trials based on speculation or second-guessing evidence; further, any breach of confidentiality may only disempower future victims from coming forward. The committees which have studied the matter have looked at the totality of the evidence, in its proper context, before delivering their findings, and a commitment to fairness requires that we respect that outcome.