A former student of MSc. Psychology at Bharathiar University has accused the women’s hostel staff and head of the Department of Psychology of having forced her to discontinue the course after she and others questioned alleged malfunctioning of the hostel in the varsity.
Haritha Chekkunni (23), a native of Vallikunnu in Malappuram district of Kerala, lodged a complaint with the Vadavalli police seeking action against university staff, who allegedly tortured her mentally and forced her to discontinue first year MSc.
Rights violations
Ms. Chekkunni in her complaint alleged that she and her friends faced human rights violations from the HoD of the Department of Psychology, chief warden, warden and supervisors of Vasuki Women’s Hostel following a series of incidents unfolded on November 14, 2017.
According to the complainant, two inmates of the women’s hostel fell ill on November 14 night.
Though the hostel supervisor was requested to arrange an ambulance to take the sick students to hospital, the complainant and others had to call a taxi.
Four inmates of the hostel had to take the two sick students to hospital at night, while the supervisor refused to accompany them. When they returned, the gate of the hostel was closed and the supervisor opened it only after inmates of nearby women’s hostel who found them crying in the dark alerted her.
According to the petitioner, the lethargic approach from the hostel staff led the students to undergo mental trauma and fear.
Next day, the complainant and 15 others gave a signed petition to the hostel warden seeking ambulance facility at night, supervisor or warden shall accompany girl students to hospital at night, provision of clean drinking water, and complaint box at the hostel.
Ms. Chekkunni alleged that she underwent inhuman harassment and threats by the HoD who made her discontinue the course on November 16 by forcing to collect transfer certificate and conduct certificate.
Petition sent
“I had sent a petition to the National Commission for Women, which asked the university to constitute a committee to inquire into my complaints. I have approached the police as the committee formed by the university comprise colleagues of those who acted against us,” said Ms. Chekkunni.
The Vadavalli police are yet to register a case on the petition.
Asked about the complaint filed by the former MSc Psychology student, Bharathiar University officials said based on a complaint sent by her to the National Commission for Women and a letter sent by the latter, the university had constituted a three-member committee to inquire into her complaint.
The commission had sent the letter a few days ago asking the university to look into the complaint and report within 15 days. Based on the letter, the university had constituted the committee with a Syndicate member, a faculty and a college representative.
The committee met on Thursday last and inquired into the incident by asking university faculty and non-teaching staff concerned to present their version of the events. It had also asked the complainant , to furnish evidence to back her allegations.
The inquiry was inconclusive and the committee was likely to have a sitting or two more before finalising its report.
Based on the report, the university would initiate action, the officials said.
