SIT formed to look into sexual harassment charges against GNDU VC

The Punjab Police has formed a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe allegations of "sexual harassment" against the Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) vice-chancellor, police said today.

Though the V-C could not be contacted for his comments despite several attempts, university officials said the allegations levelled by a woman professor were false and were made after she was removed from her post following complaints from students.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Singh said the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, has constituted the SIT to probe the complaint filed by the female professor. The SIT will be led by DCP Jagmohan.

The SIT was formed recently after the complainant wrote to chief minister Amarinder Singh and Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore with her allegations about two-weeks ago, he said.

In her complaint, the professor has alleged that she was being harassed by the V-C ever since he joined the office in August last year.

"The reason behind this harassment and exploitation is my refusal to satisfy sexual favours asked by him before he joined the office of VC when he was professor Dean and Director in the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar," she further alleged in her complaint lodged with police.

Responding to the development, GNDU Public Relations Officer Parveen Puri said the students were not happy with the woman professor's "arrogant" behaviour and she was creating "disturbances" in the department.

A committee was formed by the V-C to examine all the issues raised by the students and then she was removed from her post, the PRO said.

Thereafter, she made accusations of sexual harassment against the V-C, he said, adding the accusations made by the complainant were false.