The Calcutta High Court has refused to interfere with a preliminary report of the internal committee (IC) of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) against dean and filmmaker Vipin Vijay, accused of sexual harassment.

Dismissing Vijay’s plea seeking quashing of the report, Justice Kausik Chanda detained: “I am not inclined to interfere with the preliminary report at this stage, as the findings of the report are provisional in nature. I would like to point out, however, that before tabling the final report, the Committee must give the petitioner the opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses.

The court also clarified that the Institute would refrain from taking any coercive action against the petitioner based on the preliminary report. He also ordered the committee to conclude its work within six months.

Vijay had moved the High Court challenging the committee’s report, saying the committee’s findings went beyond the scope of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. its findings, the Committee examined 29 witnesses without giving the petitioner the opportunity to cross-examine them.

The lawyer representing the Internal Committee argued that although the petitioner claims that no opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses was provided, he did not take advantage of this opportunity.

Accordingly, with the aforesaid directions, the Court disposed of the plea.

Case: Vipin Vijay -vs- Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) & Ors.

Case No: WPA 28334 of 2024

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Cal) 287

Click here to read the order