Prof refutes harassment charges

 Bangalore University faculty Ka Vem Srinivas Murthy, in the dock for alleged sexual harassment of one of his PhD students, has refuted the allegations made by the student and has requested the university for a ‘fair hearing.’

An inquiry report on the alleged incident was placed before the university Syndicate on Monday. According to VC Prof B Thimme Gowda, the report confirmed the allegations against the associate professor at the university’s Kolar PG Centre. The varsity did not take immediate action about continuing his services, but has decided to withhold his promotion.

In a statement, Murthy has alleged that the student in question had earlier filed a complaint of academic harassment against him but later in another plaint alleged sexual harassment. Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said that the complaint about either harassments were baseless. “It is done with vested interests to hinder my promotion,” he said. The university has decided to seek legal opinion before further action in the alleged incident.