A senior scientist at the city-based National Institute of Nutrition has been placed under suspension following allegations that he "sexually harassed" a final-year woman student at the institute, a senior official said today.
K Bhaskarachary (58), a scientist in the Food Chemistry Division, allegedly sent obscene and vulgar messages to the student's phone through a messaging app last month, the official said.
The woman, a second-year MSc (Nutrition) student, is a Dalit.
Last week she complained to the NIN director Dr Hemalatha R and after an internal inquiry and based on its recommendations, Bhaskarachary, a 'Grade-E' scientist, was placed under suspension, the official said.
The official said no police complaint has been lodged in connection with the alleged incident.
The NIN director has constituted a committee with external representatives to further probe the allegations.
"Further inquiry is going on and the committee has been told to submit its report on a fast-track basis. Based on its report, further action will be initiated against the suspended scientist," another senior official at the Institute told PTI.
According to the NIN website, Bhaskarachary is a recognised PhD supervisor in Nutrition and Biochemistry and currently guiding students.
NIN is celebrating its centenary.
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