The axe has fallen on Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) in-charge Vice-Chancellor K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao in the aftermath of the suicide of architecture student M. Rishiteshwari last month, allegedly due to bullying by her seniors. The government on Sunday decided to replace him with Commissioner for Collegiate Education B. Udayalakshmi, an IAS officer, Human Resources Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao announced here on Sunday.
Addressing the media, the Minister said the decision was taken on the basis of recommendations made by the S. Balasubrahmanyam Committee, which probed the factors leading to the suicide of Rishiteswari. He said it has also been decided to set up a fast-track court and appoint a special public prosecutor to ensure speedy trial of the case and hand out stringent punishment to the guilty to act as a deterrent to campus ragging in future.
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Three students, Narala Srinivas, Dharavat Jaicharan and Hanisha Dumpala have been arrested for allegedly playing a role leading to the death of the student. The other recommendations of the committee such as introduction of biometric systems and CC cameras, flushing out of non-boarders from the hostels and abolition of caste-based student associations will be implemented at all universities in the state by the end of this month, he said.
A toll-free number would be set up to enable student victims to lodge complaints and prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.