The Karnataka High Court issued an interim stay on the proceedings initiated against officials and faculty members of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) following a notice from the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) cell. This notice stemmed from a complaint by Gopal Das, an associate professor at the IIMB who alleged caste-based discrimination at the institute.
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BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court temporarily halted legal actions against officials and faculty members of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) after a notice from the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) cell. This legal issue arose from a complaint filed by Gopal Das, an associate professor at IIMB, alleging caste-based discrimination within the institution.
Justice Hemant Chandanagoudar, who passed the interim order, clarified the scope of the DCRE’s authority. The judge explained that while the DCRE can address fraudulent caste certificate claims, it cannot handle harassment complaints.
“Under Section 7(a) of the Karnataka SC, ST & Other Backward Classes (Reservation of Appointment, etc.) Rules, 1992, the DCRE Cell is empowered to prosecute individuals for obtaining caste certificates fraudulently. However, it lacks the authority to investigate complaints of harassment against members of the SC/ST community,”
-the court emphasized.
The court found the DCRE notice to be outside its jurisdiction and granted temporary relief to several petitioners, including IIMB Director Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan and faculty members Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Prof. Sreelata Jonnalagadda, Prof. Rahul De, Prof. Ashis Mishra, and Prof. Chetan Subramanian. The court scheduled the next hearing for the second week of January 2025, leaving the matter open for further deliberation.
Gopal Das, an associate professor, lodged a complaint this month under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Mico Layout police station registered the case against the IIMB director and other faculty members based on his allegations.
Das accused eight individuals at the institute of intentionally revealing and publicizing his caste at the workplace, denying him equal opportunities, and subjecting him to threats and mental harassment. These allegations added significant weight to the case, attracting legal scrutiny.
This is not the first time the court has intervened in this matter. Earlier, in July 2024, the Karnataka High Court had stayed proceedings against Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIMB, concerning similar allegations.
This case highlights the complexities surrounding caste discrimination in professional institutions and the limits of jurisdictional authority. While the DCRE can take strict action against fraudulent caste certificates, its role does not extend to probing harassment complaints. The interim stay provides temporary relief to the accused, but the legal battle is far from over.
The case will be closely watched as it proceeds in January 2025, offering more clarity on the allegations and the responsibilities of various enforcement bodies.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Caste-Based Discrimination
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