HC stays proceedings against IIMB faculty

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has 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.

Justice Hemant Chandanagoudar, who delivered the order recently, clarified that while the DCRE is authorised to take action against fraudulent caste certificate claims, it does not have the jurisdiction to investigate allegations of harassment. "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 noted.

Finding the DCRE notice to be beyond its jurisdiction, the court granted interim relief to all petitioners. The case is set for further hearing in the second week of January, 2025.