Sexual harassment: students seek dismissal of vice principal

 The students of Dr T M A Pai Polytechnic staged a protest demanding the dismissal of Vice Principal Srikanth Pai for reportedly harassing a lecturer sexually at Manipal on Monday.

The lecturer had submitted a complaint to the college principal.

In her complaint, the lecturer accused the vice principal of sexually harassing and behaving indecently with her on Saturday. Following the complaint, the college authorities had suspended him.

College Academic Director Ranga Pai told mediapersons that the college had suspended Srikanth. The college would take further action after Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee of the college submits its report.

Polytechnic College Students’ Association President Prajwal Shetty said the vice principal had harassed girl students and the staff in the past. Srikanth should be dismissed from service, he demanded.

Ranga Pai said the committee was constituted in the college two years ago. “I was serving as the principal till 2015. I have not received any complaint on harassment from the students and the staff,” he added.

The Manipal police said the victim was asked to file a complaint. However, she has not filed a complaint. If she files a complaint, action could be initiated, they added.