An assistant professor of Nationwide institute of know-how (NIT) Silchar in Assam has been suspended for allegedly molesting a feminine pupil within the campus.
The scholars from completely different semesters staged a protest within the campus after the incident and so they demanded removing of the assistant professor from the institute.(HT Picture)
The sufferer is a second semester pupil and in line with her, the assistant professor Dr D Koteswara Raju molested her in his chamber on Thursday night.
“At around 4:30 pm, he asked me to go to his chamber to discuss my low marks. He asked me to explain the reason for my scores and suddenly started touching me. He asked me to feel comfortable and said that my marks can be managed if I obey him,” she wrote in a observe.
She stated that the assistant professor stored touching the opposite elements of her physique together with thighs, stomach, neck and lips. “He asked me to sit with him, later grabbed me from behind and talked about my body parts. A friend of mine called me that time and I rushed out from that room,” she stated.
The scholars from completely different semesters staged a protest within the campus after the incident and so they demanded removing of the assistant professor from the institute.
The protest continued on the campus until the wee hours of Friday till the authorities assured suspension of D Koteswara Raju. The authorities stated that they’ve suspended Raju quickly and an inner investigation has began.
The Inside Grievance Committee (ICC) of the Institute, a standing committee which addresses the problems of sexual harassment on the ladies, has began investigating the matter primarily based on the criticism lodged by the sufferer.
The director of the institute, professor Dilip Kumar Baidya has additionally known as for a gathering at his workplace relating to this matter. Nevertheless, he was not out there for a remark. HT reached out to him however he did not reply.
The official contact variety of the registrar of NIT Silchar, professor Ashim Roy was discovered switched off.
A handwritten observe of the sufferer was shared on social media by some customers and Assam Police responded to at least one such posts making certain quick motion. The official X (previously Twitter) of Assam police tagged the Cachar police on that submit and requested them to look into the matter.
The superintendent of police (SP), Cachar district, Numal Mahatta stated that they’re in dialogue with the NIT Silchar authorities however no written criticism has been registered but.
A staff of police has reached NIT Silchar campus however the officers stated that they’ve some limitations whereas dealing with incidents occurring contained in the NIT campus.
Some college students stated that D Koteswara Raju is a repeat offender and that is the second official criticism towards him. “We don’t want such a person to teach us,” some college students stated whereas protesting final evening.
As per the data, D Koteswara Raju allegedly molested a pupil in 2021 however he was given clean-chit by the court docket resulting from lack of proof and the absence of the complainant in the course of the proceedings.
“The student who lodged the complaint against him in 2021 later started working in a company in Bengaluru and it was difficult for her to visit Assam often. This helped the professor get the clean-chit but he didn’t change,” a senior pupil stated.