UDUPI:An FIR has been registered at the women’s police station here in connection with a sexual harassment case filed by a lecturer against the vice-principal of the TMA Pai Polytechnic of Manipal.
The lecturer stated that vice-principal Srikanth Pai who is also the head of the computer science department had been harassing her for some time and sought sexual favours from her.
The college authorities said Pai has been suspended.
The lecturer said Pai blackmailed over helping students in an examination hall, saying he would bring the matter to the notice of the principal.
The complainant said Pai tried to misbehave with her when she was alone in her chamber on August 27. She said she brought the matter to the notice of her husband on Saturday.
The couple then approached the women’s police station on Monday.
Meanwhile, the students of the polytechnic held a protest.
T Ranga Pai, academic coordinator of the polytechnic college told Express that Pai has been placed under suspension pending inquiry in the wake of the complaint.
“It is the first time that a lecturer has complained about harassment though she alleged that he had been harassing her for the past six months. A lot of inquiry is needed’’ he said.
‘’Both the lecturer and the vice-principal were in good terms till date,’’ he added.
The lecturer has been working with the institute from past five years.