ORDER

The Professor of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras has filed this writ petition challenging the report of the first respondent dated 22.5.2025 and the notice issued by the second respondent calling upon him to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed against him.

2. Heard both.

3. The case of the petitioner is as follows :

(i) The petitioner is working as a Professor in the IIT, Madras from 2010 onwards. He received an email communication dated 14.10.2024 from the first respondent stating that a complaint has been lodged against him by a female student alleging sexual harassment. Immediately, the petitioner gave a reply stating that those allegations were false. He also expressed his willingness to cooperate with the inquiry. Pursuant to that, the petitioner was summoned for an inquiry on 02.11.2024 and 06.1.2025 and deposed the correct facts. Thereafter, the petitioner was not aware of the further proceedings that took place before the first respondent.

(ii) Ultimately, vide the impugned email communication dated 22.5.2025, the first respondent intimated the findings to the petitioner by placing reliance upon the list of annexure and the statements of 17