RCU suspends professor for sexually, mentally harassing student

Belagavi, DHNS: Prof K L N Murthy, head of the Department of History and Postgraduate Centre of Rani Channamma University (RCU) in Vijayapura, has been suspended as prima facie evidence against him for allegedly sexually and mentally harassing a research student was found to be true.

The research student had made an oral complaint before the vice chancellor and registrar on November 4, 2024, that Prof Murthy had been mentally and sexually harassing her. Later, she had given a written complaint with evidence. 

The Internal Grievances Redressal Committee of the university conducted an inquiry into the complaint and submitted its report to the registrar on July 14. In the report, it indicated that Prof Murthy had misused his position and his acts amount to sexual harassment as per the provisions of the POSH Act and disciplinary action needs to be taken against him to prevent a repeat of such acts.

Registrar Santosh Kamagouda, based on the provisions of Karnataka Civil Services guidelines and the committee report, suspended Prof Murthy as allegations of sexual and mental harassment of the research student appear true prima facie.

Prof Murthy has been asked not to leave the headquarters during the suspension period with the permission of the competent authority.