St Stephen's Molestation: Smriti Irani Meets Victim, Issues Directives to University Officials

New Delhi: Union Human Resources Development (HRD) minister Smriti Irani on Thursday met the St Stephen's College molestation victim and asked Delhi University officials to ensure that the girl gets her stipend and unrestricted access to the lab, and that her research supervisor is immediately changed.

The research scholar of St Stephen's College, who has accused a college professor of molesting her, met the minister, along with CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat, during which the minister assured her of justice.

After the meeting, Ms Irani issued directives to officials to provide all help to the girl. Ms Karat told PTI, "The minister has already intervened in the issue... it should ensure that the girl gets her stipend... We took up the case with her and she said that she will categorically uphold the law against sexual harassment and will definitely take action to bring relief to the girl."

The victim had approached police last month, alleging that she was molested by Satish Kumar, an assistant professor in the college's Chemistry Department. She had also accused college principal, Valson Thampu of "shielding" the teacher when the matter was reported to him. She had also made public a set of recordings which she claimed to have made during her meetings with the principal over the issue.

Taking cognizance of the entire matter, the HRD Ministry had sought an action taken report from Delhi University and St. Stephen's College and asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to ensure that the investigation by the institution's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is expedited.

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The girl has, however, withdrawn her complaint from the ICC saying she has lost faith in its proceedings and therefore is seeking redress elsewhere. Earlier, the Delhi High Court had ordered a stay on the accused's arrest till August 17.