Lok Pal Dismisses Complainant Alleging Gender Segregation In University, Says Matter Beyond Its Jurisdiction
The Lokpal of India has dismissed a complaint filed against the Vice Chancellor of Sathyabama University, Chennai, observing that the case falls outside its jurisdiction under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
The complaint, dated October 4, 2025, had alleged that the Vice Chancellor misused his authority by enforcing gender segregation in classrooms, prohibiting male and female students from sitting together. The complainant claimed this amounted to gender discrimination, causing mental distress to students who protested. It was further alleged that the institute intimidated students and their parents to withdraw complaints, threatening academic repercussions such as being barred from examinations.
The matter was considered by a Bench comprising Justice L. Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, and Shri Pankaj Kumar, Members of the Lokpal.
The Registry had noted certain several procedural deficiencies in the complaint.
While noting these defects, the Lokpal observed that even if the complainant were given time to rectify them, the matter would still fall outside its jurisdiction. The Bench held that since the allegations concerned public servants working under the control of the State of Tamil Nadu, they do not come within the ambit of Section 14 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which covers only Central Government public servants.
The order stated, “As the public servants are working under the control of the State or for the State, they do not come within the ambit of Section 14 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.”
Accordingly, the Lokpal closed and disposed of the complaint as being beyond its jurisdiction, while granting the complainant liberty to pursue remedies before the appropriate forum.