ICC Inquiry-Report 30102019
ICC Inquiry-Report 30102019
ICC Inquiry-Report 30102019
The Director
IIM Tiruchirappalli
Subject: Report on the Inquiry conducted as part of the Sexual Harassment Complaint filed with the ICC
by two students of IIM Tiruchirappalli.
Two students Ms. Reetu Karmakar and Ms. Krithika Mukherjee, both students of First year PGP at IIM
Tiruchirappalli, brought to the notice of the ICC regarding the inappropriate behavior of Mr. Puneeth
Suraana, a student of PES University, Bangalore, during the Event on 19.10.2019, where he was
attending the Business Plan Competition held as part of the Nishtha 2019. The ICC members held a
preliminary meeting on 22.10.2019 at 1130 hours at PGPM Office Committee Room to discuss the
details. Subsequently Mr. Puneeth was contacted through his email to be present for next ICC meeting
scheduled on 30.10.2019 at 09:00 a.m. at IIM Tiruchirappalli campus.
During the meeting the said students from IIM Tiruchirappalli presented their statement of
incident that occurred on 19.10.2019. Both the students were provided an opportunity to add and
update their statement with any additional details. The copies of the updated statements from both the
complainants is enclosed with this report. The same was presented to Mr. Puneeth for his response.
Mr. Puneeth has agreed to the factual information presented by Ms. Reetu and has added that
he had asked her multiple questions such as how the garment works, does it have buttons at back or a
zip and how does one take it off – all in the context of knowing about women’s garments for his future
start-up on women’s garments. Mr. Puneeth also accepted that, while he was about to leave he tried
hugging her as a friendly gesture to thank her for the arrangements. He accepted that his behavior could
have hurt Ms. Reetu and he is apologetic for his actions.
With regard to Ms. Krithika’s compliant, he mentioned that he does not recall the entire incident
and specifically of touching the thighs and shoulders of Ms. Krithika. However, he accepts that, when he
was about to leave he tried to hug her as a friendly gesture. He has apologized for his actions.
The copies of the apology statement of Mr. Puneeth has been handed over to Ms. Reetu and
Ms. Krithika respectively and they expressed to the members of the ICC that they are willing to accept
the apology of Mr. Puneeth and wish to end the issue with a conciliation.
The ICC advised Mr. Puneeth to read the provisions of sexual harassment at work place and be
mindful of his actions in future.