Lokpal Dismisses Complaint Alleging Gender Segregation in Sathyabama University, Says Matter Beyond Its Jurisdiction
Pranav B Prem
The Lokpal of India has dismissed a complaint filed against the Vice Chancellor of Sathyabama University, Chennai, holding that the matter falls outside its jurisdiction under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. The complaint, dated October 4, 2025, alleged that the Vice Chancellor had misused his authority by enforcing gender segregation in classrooms, prohibiting male and female students from sitting together. The complainant claimed that such segregation amounted to gender discrimination and caused mental distress to students who protested. It was further alleged that university authorities intimidated students and their parents to withdraw complaints, threatening academic repercussions such as being barred from examinations.
The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Justice L. Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav, Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, and Shri Pankaj Kumar, Members of the Lokpal. The order was pronounced on October 17, 2025, under Complaint No. 319/2025
The Registry of the Lokpal, in its scrutiny report dated October 7, 2025, pointed out several procedural deficiencies in the complaint. These included the absence of a duly signed and notarized affidavit, failure to name the individual public servant against whom the complaint was directed, and non-submission of supporting documents or a signed statement of allegations. Additionally, while the complaint was filed through the online portal, no physical copy of the complaint had been received, rendering it unsigned.
Ordinarily, the Lokpal grants a complainant two weeks’ time to rectify such procedural defects. However, in this case, the Bench found that even if the complainant were granted time to cure these defects, the matter would still fall beyond the Lokpal’s jurisdiction.
The Lokpal observed that the allegations pertained to public servants working under the control of the State of Tamil Nadu, and therefore do not come within the purview of the Lokpal’s jurisdiction under Section 14 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which applies only to public servants under the Central Government. “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,” the order stated. Accordingly, the Bench closed and disposed of the complaint, declaring it beyond the jurisdiction of the Lokpal. The complainant was granted liberty to pursue remedies before the appropriate forum, if so advised.
The order makes it clear that the Lokpal’s jurisdiction is limited to investigating complaints against Central Government public servants and does not extend to State Government officials or functionaries of private institutions, even where such entities are subject to public regulation. Consequently, the complaint against the Vice Chancellor of Sathyabama University was dismissed as not maintainable before the Lokpal of India.
