Police begin inquiry: Teachers of DPS Nerul complain of ‘indecent behaviour’ by principal

One of the five complaint letters submitted to the police, in late July, states, “I would like to report gender-biased, unacceptable, sadistic behavior, words and gestures of Hari Shankar Vashistha, principal of the school, who has taken charge from April 3, 2023. These gestures have overtones of sexual harassment and intimidation, which have made me suffer sleepless nights… reliving the harrowing and traumatic incidents which I have had to face.”

“Alone in his cabin, he looked at me in a most offensive manner, which I did not feel comfortable as a lady and intimidated me by saying that I was a lady and I should behave like one. He also told me that he had ‘seen’ many ladies and he knew how to deal with them…,” states another complaint letter.

One more letter states that the principal’s “discriminating and terrorising” approach makes lady teachers uncomfortable to work in the school. “I am reporting the issue for help by submitting this application to pre-empt any big instance and keep me safe,” it states.

The teachers’ complaint to the NCW states, “During his introductory address, the principal used extremely vulgar and offensive language… In a school where the staff is 95% female, such a remark can be construed as verbal molestation and intimidation of female staff.”

Narrating one of the instances, a teacher in the letter stated that she was shocked when she suddenly noticed the principal standing very close to her, while she was correcting a student’s notebook. “By walking stealthily into my classroom, apparently to peep into the notebook that I was correcting,” states the letter.

After the teachers approached the vice-principal with the complaint, the letter states, “An internal committee for grievance redressal and a committee for sexual harassment came up on the website on June 29.”

The teachers alleged in the letters that the committee was made by the principal’s signature dated April 1, while “he took charge on April 3”, states a letter. Teachers have also complained of no resolution from the management of the school.

Confirming about receiving the complaint letters, senior police inspector of the NRI police station, Pramod Toradmal, said, “A women officer has been appointed to conduct inquiry into the complaint.”

Principal of the school HS Vashishta, however, has denied all allegations. He said, “All those are false complaints. Police are investigating it.” The DPS Society, which runs the chain of schools across the country, did not respond despite attempts.

UPDATE: A police report, dated September 14, 2023, following an enquiry into the matter has found that no sexual harassment had taken place and the report exonerated the Principal.