<div>Two women Phd scholars of Bharathiyar University here have made allegations of sexual harassment and bribery against the Head of English department, with the administration setting up an inquiry committee.<br /><br />Announcing the decision, which came days after the two scholars, doing PhD in English, lodged separate complaints against the Professor, BU Vice-Chancellor James Pitchai today said the committee had been asked to submit its report within 30 days.<br /><br />The accused Prof Saravana Selvan, who was also present, said the charges against him were "motivated by some vested interests" to tarnish his image since he has become a member of the Syndicate of the university.<br /><br />Backing him, Pitchai also said the charges made by the two women were "totally false" and that if found wrong, action, including legal, would be taken against them.<br /><br />"Based on the report, action would be taken against those found guilty", he told reporters here.<br /><br />One of the scholars, in her recent complaint with the Superintendent of Police, alleged that Selvan demanded sexual favour and also money for approving her thesis for submission.<br /><br />The other scholar had submitted a complaint to the District Collector on July 13 levelling similar charges against the Professor and seeking action against him.<br /><br />The Professor claimed he had submitted a memorandum to the university authorities earlier to inquire into allegations levelled against him by some others in the past.<br /><br />Even before a decision was taken on it, these two women had now come out with the charges against him, he said, indicating that he was being targeted.</div>
<div>Two women Phd scholars of Bharathiyar University here have made allegations of sexual harassment and bribery against the Head of English department, with the administration setting up an inquiry committee.<br /><br />Announcing the decision, which came days after the two scholars, doing PhD in English, lodged separate complaints against the Professor, BU Vice-Chancellor James Pitchai today said the committee had been asked to submit its report within 30 days.<br /><br />The accused Prof Saravana Selvan, who was also present, said the charges against him were "motivated by some vested interests" to tarnish his image since he has become a member of the Syndicate of the university.<br /><br />Backing him, Pitchai also said the charges made by the two women were "totally false" and that if found wrong, action, including legal, would be taken against them.<br /><br />"Based on the report, action would be taken against those found guilty", he told reporters here.<br /><br />One of the scholars, in her recent complaint with the Superintendent of Police, alleged that Selvan demanded sexual favour and also money for approving her thesis for submission.<br /><br />The other scholar had submitted a complaint to the District Collector on July 13 levelling similar charges against the Professor and seeking action against him.<br /><br />The Professor claimed he had submitted a memorandum to the university authorities earlier to inquire into allegations levelled against him by some others in the past.<br /><br />Even before a decision was taken on it, these two women had now come out with the charges against him, he said, indicating that he was being targeted.</div>