Supreme Court Seeks Response From Centre on Alleged Harassment of Female Staff at MDU

New Delhi/Rohtak: The Supreme Court of India has taken a strong stance on the disturbing allegations of harassment at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Haryana, where female sanitation workers were allegedly asked to provide private-part photographs to prove they were menstruating. The Court has issued notices to the Central Government, Haryana Government, and the university administration, seeking their responses.

A bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan noted that the incident reflects a disturbing mindset. Justice Nagarathna remarked that in other states, women are granted menstrual leave, and questioned whether such invasive evidence should be demanded to justify it. The bench observed that alternate arrangements could have been made if the staff were unavailable due to health reasons.

Next Hearing on 15 December

The Supreme Court scheduled the next hearing for 15 December. During proceedings, SCBA President and senior lawyer Vikas Singh emphasized that the case is a serious criminal matter requiring urgent attention. The petition requests the Centre and Haryana Government to conduct a thorough investigation and issue guidelines to protect the health, dignity, bodily autonomy, and privacy rights of women and girls during menstruation.

Police Case Details

According to police reports, an FIR was filed on 31 October against three MDU staff members allegedly involved in the harassment. The complaint alleges that the female sanitation workers were first forced to work despite feeling unwell, and then coerced to prove they were menstruating by showing private parts.

The university has stated that two supervisors involved have been suspended, and they were appointed through the Haryana Skill and Employment Corporation on a contract basis. An internal inquiry has been ordered.

One of the victims, employed for over 11 years, said the supervisors demanded private photographs when she refused to work due to menstruation-related discomfort, and threatened dismissal when she resisted.

Police confirmed that FIRs have been registered under charges of criminal intimidation, sexual harassment, outraging the modesty of a woman, and using criminal force against a woman, while the university’s assistant registrar denied issuing any such directive.