Sikkim University prof accused of sexually harassing student; investigations underway

Gangtok: A Ph.D. scholar of Sikkim Central University has lodged a complaint of sexual harassment against an assistant professor of the English department with the Internal Complaint Committee.

 

The victim claimed that she was promised marriage by the accused, but was ditched. At present, the case is being looked after by Internal Complaint Committee. This is the third instance case of sexual harassment that has been reported from Sikkim Central University since 2018.

 

"I have received the written information from the victim and we have our own mechanism to investigate the matter through Internal Complaint Committee which is investigating the matter and it will follow strict procedures and we will give fair chance to the accused...we will punish accordingly," said professor Avinash Khare, Vice-Chancellor of Sikkim Central University.

 

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"We are already following zero-tolerance against sexual harassment but still cases are coming which is sad; in future, we will organize seminars and awareness in coming days. The investigation will take at least one and a half months," he added.

 

Last year, a case of sexual harassment case was filed against the assistant professor of Peace and Conflict department who was booked for allegedly sexually harassing the assistant professor of another department.

 

In a related incident, Silajit Guha, a professor of the Mass Communication Department of Sikkim University, was suspended after a female student accused him of molestation.