Countering charges that he tried shielding a teacher accused of molesting a PhD student, St Stephen’s college principal Valson Thampu on Sunday claimed he had offered the girl to change the guide but she had “refused” to accept the suggestion.
“When the girl approached me with the complaint she had insisted that the matter not be treated as one of sexual harassment to solely ensure that her PhD is completed on time. Understanding her concern, I suggested her to change the guide but she insisted on completing the research under him,” Thampu said.
An FIR has been registered against an assistant professor in St Stephen’s chemistry department, after the PhD student filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment by him. The student has also alleged that Thampu tried to protect him. According to the complaint, the accused — who also discharges the duties of the bursar — molested the complainant on October 15, 2013. The complainant alleged that Thampu discouraged her from filing a sexual harassment case, leaving her with two options —— “go to Delhi University’s grievance redressal cell and jeopardise my degree or term the issue an academic problem”. She also maintained that 80 per cent of her research was completed and change of guide was not feasible at that stage.
“I had myself insisted that it is a serious matter and should be referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), a statutory body meant to address such cases. The Principal does not have, as such, any authority over her. I could not have prevented her from seeking redressal from the relevant committee,” he said.
Meanwhile, the girl has withdrawn her complaint from the college’s ICC saying she has no faith in its proceedings. —PTI
