College of Language and Culture Studies (CLCS) in Trongsa and Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), represented by a lawyer, submitted to court yesterday that they had compulsorily retired ten staff last year in May for the alleged sexual harassment of students following the urgent need for the management to take administrative action.
The College and the RUB rebutted that the action was taken to safeguard the interest of the girl students: Fear, disturbances to their regular studies and risks of suicide and depression were cited as reasons for immediate dismissal of the accused staff.
The lawyer also added that such case warranted dismissal without notice as the nature of the case was categorized under severe misconduct and big failure as a teacher since they are considered as the epitome of values and hence, the college management didn’t abide by the Due Process or Principles of Natural Justice.
Meanwhile, the three former lecturers who are on trial argued that they were terminated without giving them Show Cause Notice or opportunity to be heard or discussed.
The college compulsorily retired ten staff in total after nineteen girls lodge a complaint to the college management for immediate action in May last year. The seven had filed a case against the college and RUB recently to reinstate and for compensation as the police and Office of the Attorney General found no basis to charge them.
Passang
