Prof suspended over sexual harassment charges

Syndicate Council of Tumkur University on Saturday suspended an assistant professor of English department of the University Arts College, who is accused of sexually abusing the students.

The decision was taken at the special Syndicate meeting convened to discuss the charges levelled against assistant professor Rajashekar. The Council’s decision was based on the preliminary report submitted by the varsity’s Women Grievances Redressal cell headed by Noor Afza. The Council has decided to get the incident probed by a one-member committee of retired judge, said a release issued by the registrar of the university.

Details gathered
The women redressal cell on Friday summoned the assistant professor and took his statements. The cell also gathered the details about the episode from the students and teaching and non-teaching staff and former principal of University Arts College, Hariprasad.

The sexual harassment of students by the assistant professor came to light on March 15 when a group of students held a protest outside the auditorium where the varsity organised an event to mark International Women’s Day.

On Thursday, an expert com­mittee on prevention of sexual violence on women and children headed by MLC V S Ugrappa visited the varsity and gathered details about the episode from the vice chancellor and the women redressal cell.