GUNTUR:The four-member committee headed by retired IAS officer S Balasubramaniam started its inquiry into the ‘suicide’ of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) BArch first year student Mondi Rishiteswari, here Wednesday.
Following a hue and cry over the alleged ragging and harassment by seniors and lack of support from the faculty and varsity officials, that had forced Rishiteswari to take the extreme step, the government had constituted a committee headed by Balasubramaniam, who at present is serving as advisor to the education department, government of AP.
Speaking to mediapersons on the ANU campus, Balasubramaniam said the government had asked them to submit a report in five days. “We will stay here for three days and speak with everyone from officials to students and parents of the victim,” he said.
The retired bureaucrat said those who depose before the committee can do so either in open inquiry or in-camera meeting. When pointed out that students were not there on the campus as the university was closed till August 4, he said the committee is getting in touch with students and will provide their email address to those who want to email their account of the incident and circumstances leading to it.
Media was barred from entering the campus earlier. Only after much persuasion of Balasubramaniam, who wanted to brief them, mediapersons were allowed inside.