New Delhi:
St Stephen's College in Delhi has been asked for a report by the government on sexual harassment charges against an assistant professor, who resigned as the Bursar of the college on Tuesday.
The Human Resource Development Ministry has sent a notice to the Delhi University seeking a report on the allegations of a student who claims she was sexually assaulted by Professor Satish Kumar and harassed for two years while she was working on her doctorate thesis in chemistry.
A court on Tuesday refused to grant Mr Kumar, 40, anticipatory bail to prevent his arrest. Soon after, he resigned as Bursar, a post that made him the second most important faculty member in the college after the principal, Valson Thampu. He will, however, continue as assistant professor, Reverend Thampu has said.
"Kumar had sent a text message expressing his inability to discharge the duties of Bursar. The college's Governing Body has resolved this morning that Kumar be relieved of all duties and obligations of the position and a new appointment has been made," said the principal, who has denied the allegation that he is shielding Satish Kumar.
Sources say that as the Bursar of the college, Professor Kumar was entitled to take decisions in the principal's absence. He was also the youngest Bursar in the history of the college - never before had anyone other than the five most senior members of the college reportedly occupied the post. As bursar, Satish Kumar was also automatically elevated as a member of the college governing council.
Sources say that the professor had, in the past, backed Revd. Thampu in the governing council when the principal faced criticism over important decisions.
In a seven-page complaint, the student has alleged that Mr Kumar had harassed her for two years. She claims that the professor had sexually assaulted her in October, 2013 but she never pressed charges fearing for her career. The student has told the police that she approached Mr Thampu last December, but instead of helping her, he asked her to withdraw her complaint against Mr Kumar.