Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has stayed further proceedings in an inquiry initiated under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act against an IIT Kanpur professor, pending adjudication of a special appeal filed by the institute.A division bench comprising Justice SD Singh and Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi passed the order on Aug 20.The accused is a professor in the department of electrical engineering at IIT Kanpur. The complainant, an intern, had been assigned a project in 2023 involving research on vibration bands, their functioning and potential applications.According to the complaint, the professor allegedly provided the intern with an objectionable object during the course of the summer research project. The complainant described the object as a “sex toy” and subsequently filed a complaint under the PoSH framework with the institute, which initiated an inquiry.The professor later approached the high court challenging the proceedings. In an order dated Jan 5, 2026, a single judge had allowed the inquiry to continue.The professor’s counsel argued that the research project involved the study of vibration-based systems designed to facilitate non-verbal communication. The object in question, the counsel submitted, was part of an “arm-band vibration communication gadget” being developed for use by the armed forces during silent operations.The division bench noted, “The matter requires consideration and parties may exchange further affidavits. List thereafter.”The bench further directed that the operation and effect of the single judge’s order permitting continuation of the inquiry shall remain stayed during the pendency of the special appeal.
