Asst prof suspended for 'harassing' woman research scholar

 The Syndicate of Gulbarga University on Saturday suspended associate professor Dasharath Nayak of the Economics Department, on the charges of “mentally and financially harassing” a woman scholar doing her research under his guidance.

According to a complaint by the woman scholar, whose identity has been protected, Nayak had been harassing her “mentally and financially,” university Registrar Chandrakant Yatnoor said. There was no mention of sexual harassment, he added.

Protests

Following the complaint, there were protests on the campus demanding action against Nayak.

Vice Chancellor E T Puttaiah convened an extraordinary emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue and the Syndicate decided to suspend Nayak.

Committee constituted

A four-member committee headed by Chaya Degaonkar, Dean of the Social Science faculty and Head of the Department of Economics, has been constituted to inquire into the matter. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a fortnight.

Pending inquiry, Nayak has been placed under suspension with immediate effect.

The research scholar has also lodged a complaint with the police seeking action against the associate professor. The University Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.