On July 15, 2025, the Madhya Pradesh High Court at Gwalior delivered a significant judgment. The Court ordered the former Vice-Chancellor of Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior, to pay ₹35 lakhs as compensation to a female Yoga Instructor for subjecting her to sexual harassment at the workplace. The State of Madhya Pradesh was fined ₹5 lakhs for its police department’s prolonged inaction in registering the FIR, further deepening the agony faced by the victim.
Background of the Case
The petitioner, Women, was employed as a Yoga Instructor at LNIPE since 2015. In March 2019, she alleged that the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Mr. Dilip Kumar Dureha, inappropriately touched her lower back when she was on her way to conduct a class. Intimidated by his position, she initially refrained from complaining. However, in August 2019, when the VC allegedly misused his authority again to solicit sexual favors, she formally submitted a complaint to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on October 14, 2019.
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Despite the complaint, no substantial action was taken by the institute. In fact, instead of addressing her grievances, she was allegedly further harassed by the Registrar, Head of Department, and other faculty members. Show-cause notices and false accusations were used against her, escalating the hostile environment.
Court’s Observations on Institutional Negligence
“This Court holds that the petitioner was subjected to sexual harassment at her workplace and no steps were taken by the Institute in timely extending justice… the Institute had let its administration being controlled by a person who was not even fit to be kept in service of any nature.”
The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at LNIPE failed to act on the original complaint and did not conduct a proper inquiry. It was only after intervention by the Ministry that a fresh five-member ICC was formed in May 2020. The inquiry confirmed that Ms. Tyagi was subjected to unwelcome sexually determined behavior and that a hostile work environment was created under the VC’s direction.
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Delay in Police Action
“The police authorities are responsible for not taking action in time… and had waited for three long years to register a crime, that too upon directions of the Apex Court.”
Despite multiple complaints, the FIR was only registered in 2022 after the Supreme Court allowed a Special Leave Petition and directed the police to act. The Court relied on the Lalita Kumari v. Government of UP precedent, which mandates immediate registration of FIR upon disclosure of a cognizable offense.
Case Title: X v Union of India (Writ Petition No.: 5625 of 2020)