Punjab University: VC harassment drama plays out at LHC

VC turns up in court with supporters, opponents protest on The Mall.

LAHORE:

Supporters of the Punjab University vice chancellor crowded into a courtroom while opponents rallied outside on Tuesday as the Lahore High Court took up Prof Mujahid Kamran’s petition against the ombudswoman for proceeding with a sexual harassment case against him.

The vice chancellor was not required to appear personally for the hearing of his petition on Tuesday, but he turned up with a large group of university teachers, both male and female, in support.

Shortly after, PU Law College lecturer Khujishta Rehan, the alleged victim of the vice chancellor’s harassment, turned up at the LHC gate with a few dozen female students and alumni of the college and held a protest on The Mall.



While the vice chancellor’s supporters said that they had turned up at the LHC independently to show their support for Prof Kamran, Rehan alleged that he had forced them to show up. She said that she had decided to hold the protest after learning that the vice chancellor had brought his supporters with him, so that he “could not get away with trying to influence the court”.

Some women lawyers also joined the protesters waving placards and banners denouncing the vice chancellor.

Punjab University Academic Staff Association President Prof Dr Ahsan Sharif also issued a press statement in favour of Prof Kamran, saying that Rehan was making false allegations against him.

Meanwhile inside the courtroom, Justice M Farrukh Irfan Khan ordered a law officer to look into the vice chancellor’s complaint and report to the court at the next hearing on November 28.



In his petition, Prof Kamran has submitted that Ombudsperson Mira Phailbus continued with the proceedings of the sexual harassment case against him even though the Lahore High Court had directed her not to. He asked the court to try her for contempt.

Rehan has also filed a petition at the LHC, asking that the vice chancellor be sacked because of sexual harassment and that he be suspended till the petition is decided.

She submitted that the VC had used various tactics to try and seduce her since 2007. He had appointed her to various university committees and as warden of two girls’ hostels, she said. But when she refused his advances, she said, he attacked her at the PU Chemistry Department and tore her clothes.

Rehan submitted that the ombudswoman had found the allegations to be true, but told her that she did not have the jurisdiction to proceed against the vice chancellor, so she should move the competent forum.

She said that the vice chancellor was trying to delay the matter by filing a contempt petition against the ombudswoman.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2013.