Mysore varsity professor suspended

Mysore University Prof Shivabasavaiah, who was accused of sexually harassing a research scholar, has been suspended to ensure fair investigation into the case, Higher Education Minister V S Acharya on Tuesday said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had tried to commit suicide after the alleged harassment. The professor is absconding. The government has taken the issue seriously and directed officials to conduct a thorough probe into the case, Acharya told the Legislative Council.

M C Nanaiah of the Janata Dal (Secular) urged the government to immediately write to the governor asking him to appoint an inquiry officer to deal with the case. Bharati Shetty of the Bharatiya Janata Party demanded that the government set up a committee to investigate the case as a probe by the police will take long time for completion.

She urged the government to re-open the alleged murder case of police sub-inspector Sushma in Anekal. The CID plans to file a “B” report in the case for want of evidence. There is enough evidence to prove it was a murder and not a suicide, she said.