An Indian Institute of Science professor and noted scientist, who was facing allegations of sexual harassment by a research student, has been forced to take ‘compulsory retirement’. The professor, Giridhar Madras, was a senior faculty of the Chemical Engineering Department. His page on IISc.’s website has been pulled down.
“A complaint was received from a Ph.D student about sexual harassment by a senior professor. That complaint was inquired into by the internal complaints committee of the institute. The Governing Council being the appointing committee for the faculty deliberated on the report and resolved to compulsorily retire the faculty with immediate effect. The order was served on the faculty on October 22. He stands compulsorily retired,” said a spokesperson from the IISc.
Two professors at the IISc. have confirmed that action was taken against Prof. Madras. A source, who asked not to be named, said Prof. Madras’ students have been reassigned to other professors.
Prof. Madras was associated with the IISc. for over two decades. He did his M. Tech. in Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras and his Ph.D at Texas A&M University. He is also a recipient of various awards, including S.S. Bhatnagar Award (by CSIR), IISc. award for excellence in research, and J.C. Bose National Fellowship.
Published - October 31, 2018 12:45 am IST
