a seer eee SYMBIOSIS INTERNATIONAL (DEEMED UNIVERSITY) (Established under section $f the UGC Act, 1956) Re-accredited by NAAC with grade Founder: Prof. Dr.S. B. Mujumdar, M.Sc, Ph. D. (Awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by President of India) SIU/ U-118/2018/ 1711 3 May 2018 To, Hon'ble Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-1 10001 Ref: Your mail dated 06" April 2018 to the Registrar of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) in regard to Snigdha Jayakrishanan’s complaint, a 3" yr BA.LLB. Symbiosis Law School Hyderabad, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) student. Respected Madam/Sir, Greetings from Symbiosis International (Deemed University)! 1. Inspired by the ideals of "Vishwa Bharati’ of Gurudev Tagore and ‘Antar Bharati! of Sane Guruji and with a deep desire to help foreign students, an idea of ‘Symbiosis’ was conceived by Dr. S. B. Mujumdar in the year 1971. The motto of Symbiosis is 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, Indeed, the motto is aptly justified in Symbiosis’ functioning pattern as it proves to be a ground that nurtures and cares for all students immaterial of their backgrounds. The student code of conduct is established to foster and protect the core missions of the Symbiosis International (Deemed University) to foster the scholarly and civic development of the University’s students in a safe and secure leaming environment, and to protect the people, properties and processes that support the University and its missions. 2. The core philosophy of this University is to protect and safe guard the girl students The ICC committee is constituted at institute as well as at university which handles these matters and appropriate punishment is awarded to offenders by authorities. To achieve this objective, various measures are adopted. Periodic counselling and lectures are delivered by qualified lecturer of the institute and NGO’s who are specialized in handling gender sensitization and sexual harassment cases. As per UGC notification of 2"! May 2016 ICC, these NGO’s become part of educating our girl students, which is organized minimum twice a year and on regular basis as and when required. Training of trainers is part of ICC procedure. Posters which depict protective measures are displayed at prominent places in all the institutes like girl’s hostel, eateries, dining hall, stair cases, toilets etc. Any complaint from any quarter of the institute is immediately attended to without losing any time. Lavale, Pune 412115, Maharashtra, India |Tel:+ 94-20-39116200 / 08 /09 | Fax:+91- 20-39116206 Email: info@siu.edu.in| Web: wwwsiuedu.ina eg ems SYMBIOSIS INTERNATIONAL (DEEMED UNIVERSITY) (Established under section $f the UGC Act, 1956) Re-accredited by NAAC with A grade Founder: Prof. Dr.S. B. Mujumdar, M.Sc, Ph. D. (Awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by President of India) 3. This has reference to the mail dated 06 April 2018, written by Ms. Snigdha Jayakrishnan of 3" yr. BA.LLB Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad student, regarding perceived sexual harassment complaints at Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad. 4, A detailed enquiry was conducted by Internal Complaints Committee of the institute. Ms. Snigdha Jayakrishnan has complained that a female student was supposedly being sexually harassed by a male student of the same institution, As Ms. Snigdha has not mentioned names in her reference in this proceeding, we will also conceal the students’ names. At the commencement of the proceeding, the aggrieved student was made aware of her rights under Central law as well as under the Rules of the Institute. She was assured and ensured of just and fair procedure and justice in the matter. During the proceedings the aggrieved female student denied that she was subjected to any sexual harassment by a male student of her institute. 5. Independent of this, the Committee proceeded to conduct detailed enquiry. It was finally found that it was a matter of a verbal fight between two groups of students involving mainly one male and one female student which was construed by Ms. Snigdha Jayakrishnan as a matter of sexual harassment and thus a communication of this nature was sent to Ministry of Women and Child Development. 6. A written application written voluntarily by her, negating the allegations of sexual harassment has been submitted by the female student to the Intemal Complaints Committee. This application is signed by the female student, and counter signed supporting the feelings of the daughter by her mother. The student’s application has been annexed here for your ready reference. 7. In the second incident where Ms. Snigdha Jayakrishnan BA.LLB 3" yr student has mentioned about a male student inappropriately touching his female colleague was thoroughly investigated under Internal Complaints Committee and given suitable punishments, Male student was suspended for one year and the female student was given a transfer to another institute. 8, Third incident where Ms. Snigdha Jayakrishnan BA.LLB 3" yr. student complained about ‘Asst. Prof Srinivas Methuku of ogling and causing discomfort to the female students, the Director of the Institute taking due cognizance of the matter has severely reprimanded the said faculty and ensured it is not repeated anywhere with anybody. 9. The incident where Ms. Snigdha Jayakrishnan BA.LLB 3" yr. student has complained about the Campus Administrator passing sexually colored remarks. In the enquiry, it was revealed that it was not true and the advice was absolutely misconstrued. Lavale, Pune 412115, Maharashtra, India| Tel:-+ 91-20-39116200 /08 / 09 | Fax:+91- 20-39116206 Email: info@siu.edu.in | Web: wwwsiu.edu.ina reget Fe. SYMBIOSIS INTERNATIONAL (DEEMED UNIVERSITY) (Established under section ofthe UGC Act, 1956) Re-accredited by NAAC with ‘A grade Founder: Prof. Dr. S. B. Mujumdar, M. Sc., Ph. D. (Awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri by President of India) Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad is a constituent institute of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and follows all the by-laws, rules and regulations set by the University office in accordance with the UGC regulations. We feel and believe that we have taken all the needful actions required to be taken under the laws and rules. This is for your information and necessary action at your end please. Yours Sincerely, Lavale, Pune 412115, Maharashtra, India | Tel:+ 91-20-39116200 / 08 /09 | Fax:+91- 20- 39116206