St Stephen's molestation row: College not a probe agency says

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jun 25 2015 | 6:32 PM IST
St Stephen's principal Valson Thampu, who is facing allegations of shielding a professor who is accused of molesting a PhD student, today said the college was not an investigative agency and it was for police to conduct the probe.
"When the girl had complaint to me I had forwarded it to the concerned body. When the court denied the professor a bail, he resigned as the Bursar and I made alternate arrangements. But ensuring justice is not in the hand of the college now. The institution is not an investigative agency," Thampu said.
"Police is conducting a probe into the matter and we are cooperating in every capacity. HRD Ministry and Delhi Commission for women had asked for an action-taken report and I have replied with facts. If he is guilty, he should be punished," he added.
The student had on June 19 lodged an FIR against Satish Kumar, an Assistant Professor in college's Chemistry department, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by him.
She had also alleged that college principal tried to protect him when the matter was reported to the college authorities.
The victim has claimed in her complaint that Thampu had "criminally intimidated her to give a written application to him expressing her consent to close the matter in college itself in order to not cause any delay or problems in completion of her PhD".
Thampu has, however, not been named in the FIR.
A Delhi Court had on Tuesday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the accused professor following which he has resigned from the post of college's Bursar.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 25 2015 | 6:32 PM IST

Next Story