LAHORE - Terming reply of ombudswoman as unsatisfactory, the Lahore High Court on Thursday directed her to file afresh reply on petition of the Punjab University vice chancellor challenging her order against him.
The ombudswoman on a complaint of a lecturer of Punjab University Law College, Khajista Rehman, held the VC responsible for harassing her and ordered inquiry against him.
The VC filed the contempt of court petition in the LHC saying that the court had stayed the proceedings before the ombudswoman but issuing the order she has committed the contempt of court.  Holding the proceedings, Justice Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan of the LHC held that the ombudswoman cannot issue an order without giving opportunity of arguments. No one can be held a culprit only on the basis of accusations, he said.
Appearing before the court, the VC’s counsel submitted that the ombudswoman was holding proceedings on a complaint against him. He said the Lahore High Court had stayed proceedings by the ombudswoman but despite the court orders, she held proceedings and disposed of the petition on technical grounds. He requested the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the ombudswoman.  On the other hand, counsel for the lecturer submitted that the VC had remedy of appeal against the order if he had some objection over it.
The judge adjourned the hearing until December 3.
On the other hand, Khajista Rehan had also filed a petition before the LHC raising sexual harassment allegations against the VC and seeking his removal from the institution.