Calling the alleged sexual harassment case at St. Stephen’s College, “shameful” for the reputation of the institution, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has called for a through probe into the matter.
DCW chairperson Barkha Shukla Singh on Saturday said, “The matter should be investigated and those who are found guilty should face action.”
An FIR under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) was registered against Satish Kumar, an assistant professor at St. Stephen’s chemistry department, after a PhD student filed a complaint against him.
The student, who is doing her PhD under Mr. Kumar, has also alleged that college principal Valson Thampu tried to protect him when the matter was reported to the college authorities.
Though Mr. Thampu confirmed the fact that the victim had raised the matter with him, he denied allegations of trying to protect Mr. Kumar.
The college also issued a statement saying, “Such a complaint was duly and promptly forwarded by the principal to the internal complaints committee, and an inquiry is under way.”
The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) and the Association of Old Stephanians have also condemned the incident.
“Mr. Thampu’s tenure as principal is replete with instances of illegalities and misdemeanours. We demand that he immediately step down, failing which the Supreme Council should sack him. We also demand that Dinesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University, initiate an inquiry in the present case and all the past sexual harassment cases at the college immediately,” a statement by the Association of Old Stephanians said.
