BENGALURU: A senior professor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bengaluru, has been accused of sexual harassment by a female colleague who was also his doctoral study student.
The complaint was registered in February, but the issue came to light only on Wednesday when the university’s inquiry committee probing the complaint held its fifth meeting. The first meeting was held on April 4.
Vice Chancellor Dr K S Ravindranath confirmed, “Yes there is a complaint against one of our senior professors and we have also constituted an inquiry committee.
We have not yet received the final report from the committee. If the probe finds the professor guilty, then we will initiate necessary action.”
According to university sources, the 33-year-old woman was also a faculty member at an institute attached to the university. She first approached the advisory body of the university and tried to get an appointment with the authorities.
As her efforts failed, she approached Vimochana, a women’s organisation. Later, the organisation took up the issue with the vice-chancellor following which an inquiry committee was constituted.
When contacted, the victim confirmed that she had filed complaint, but refused to give any more details.
“As the inquiry is going on, I will not speak anything about the case. But, if I don’t get justice, I will approach higher authorities,” she said.
What is the case?
According to the complainant, the professor allegedly used to pass lewd remarks at her, comment about her dress and had even forced her to stay in his chamber after working hours.
Earlier, she used to ignore him. When she expressed interest in pursuing Ph.D, the professor personally approached her parents to convince them that he be her guide. After becoming the guide, his attitude changed a lot and his intention was clear, the complainant said.
She also alleged that the professor recently tried to contact her father. She claimed that soon after she filed a complaint, the university sent her a letter reliving her from the faculty post. Following this, she discontinued her P.hD also.