German national who came to India for NGO volunteer work moves Kerala High Court alleging sexual harassment

A German national, who came to India for NGO volunteer work, has moved the Kerala High Court alleging sexual harassment against the general secretary of the NGO. .The High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the general secretary of the Asian Sector Head Quarters of the Sister Hatune Foundation on the plea which sought initiation of criminal proceedings based on the sexual harassment complaints made by the German volunteer teacher. Justice N Nagaresh also stayed the nullification of her visa and the exit permit which was issued to the German national who was doing honorary work at the NGO..The Court also issued notice to the Central government, the Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration and the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer..The petition was moved by a German woman who came to India for a period of one year to teach German to students at a school run by the Sister Hatune Foundation. The general secretary of the foundation, one Aleyas, had issued a latter of non-gratuitous employment and the petitioner came to India on a work visa which was due to expire only in April 2023. The petitioner claimed that she was told that the school run by the NGO does not charge any fees from the students and, therefore, she would not be paid for her work. However, she was purportedly assured that her food, travel and accommodation while in Kerala, would be entirely free. It was alleged by the petitioner that these promises were not adhered to in the slightest and the quality of food and water as well as living conditions were extremely poor and unhygienic. Pertinently, she alleged that Aleyas misbehaved with her and made sexual advances at her and that many girl students at the school also told her about similar experiences. She further argued that Aleyas was also collecting fees from the students which was not something that was contemplated by the foundation. When she objected to these and tried to disclose the same, the general secretary allegedly fabricated a termination letter and sent it to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO).The plea contended that the officers concerned, without conducting an enquiry or issuing any previous notice, cancelled her visa and issued an exit permit, without any formal speaking order. On these grounds, she approached the High Court seeking to quash the issuance of exit permit and nullification of visa. She also sought orders to the Central government and the Bureau of Immigration to initiate an enquiry to find the validity of the termination of service of the petitioner by the Foundation and also initiate prosecution proceedings against Aleyas for the various criminal offences allegedly committed by him as general secretary of the Foundation..The vacation bench of the Court heard the plea on an urgent basis and issued urgent notice by speed post to the respondent-general secretary..The petitioner was represented by advocates Raghul Sudheesh, Glaxon KJ, Lakshmi J, Elizabeth Mathew, Bini Das, Amal Jees Alex and KK Subeesh..[Read Order]