St. Stephen's sexual assault: Women's activist call for strict action against accused

All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) leader Jagmati Sangwan on Friday called for strict action to be taken against St. Stephen's College professor Satish Kumar, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman student, and accused the principal of the institute, Valson Thampu, of protecting the teacher.

"He [Kumar] sexually assaulted the girl and the principal was continuously protecting the culprit. Satish Kumar should be immediately arrested and strict action should be taken against the principal. We have organised a protest against the same as we feel strict action should be taken in this case," Sangwan said.

"The student has been threatened. She is in terror, so her safety should be kept on priority," she added.

The student, who is doing her PhD under the supervision of Satish Kumar, an assistant professor in the college's chemistry department, has lodged an FIR against him alleging that she was sexually assaulted by him. She has alleged that Thampu tried to protect him when the matter was reported.