In a concerning revelation, 500 female students from a prominent university in Haryana, Chaudhary Devi Lal University in Sirsa, have come forward to allege sexual harassment by a professor. The aggrieved students have taken their concerns to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the governor, and the women's commission, seeking swift action against the implicated faculty member.
The accusations revolve around the professor's purported exploitation of students after summoning them to his office. The students, fearing reprisals, have refrained from providing personal details, expressing concerns about their family's reputation. The issue gained momentum on social media, prompting local authorities to establish a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the matter.
This incident marks the fourth formal complaint against the same professor, whose alleged misconduct within his office is detailed in the students' letter. The letter also describes threats against those who protested and claims that the professor tampered with evidence, including erasing CCTV footage from his room.
Rajesh Bansal, the university registrar, acknowledged prior anonymous letters received last year but stressed that internal investigations consistently found the allegations baseless. However, the current allegations involving 500 students are considered more severe, leading the university to actively cooperate with law enforcement.
The SIT, led by Sirsa ASP Deepti Garg and three women inspectors, has initiated the process of gathering statements from professors. Despite efforts, some teachers have chosen not to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
In response to the serious allegations, the accused professor vehemently denies them, attributing the situation to a malicious campaign. He describes the accusations as a political vendetta stemming from his involvement in university affairs and asserts his readiness for a comprehensive investigation to clear his name. The situation has raised concerns about the safety of students and the need for a thorough examination of the university's response to prior complaints.
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