Amid ongoing probe, 12 girls opt to withdraw sexual harassment complaint against deceased
In a new twist as well as amid ongoing probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT), around 12 girls out of 22 has opted to withdraw complaint against Jammu University professor, who committed suicide following allegations levelled against him about sexual harassment.
Moreover, in another development Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) has decided to observe pen down strike from Wednesday as Vice Chancellor of varsity has failed accede the demand of association for handing over probe to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“Amid the probe by the four member Police’s SIT team headed by SDPO Gandhi Nagar Sachit Sharma and supervised by SP South Mamta Sharma in the suicide case of Associate Professor namely Chander Shaker, twelve girl students is reported to have withdrawn their complaints of sexual harassment against the deceased professor leaving the number ten only,” an source privy with development told.
He added that around twenty two girl students had lodged their complaint of sexual harassment with the JU’s CASH Committee following which the deceased professor was put under suspension.
Meanwhile, the Jammu University Teachers Association, JUTA, has decided to continue with the protest after the Vice Chancellor of the varsity failed to accede to their demands which include handing over the case to the CBI and removal of the Presiding Officer and others from CASH Committee.
“As the talk with the VC failed ,as such all the members are requested to assemble in front of the VC office building at 11:30 am. Those who are not participating are also requested to attend. All the members of EC are also requested to ask the teachers of their respective members to join. There will be a complete pen down strike tomorrow “, the JUTA flashed the messages among the teachers community .
“There is a strong resentment among the JU fraternity that the Registrar, HoD and CASH committee Presiding Officer are still continuing to their respective posts whereas VC should have removed them by now and post some fresh non controversial faces in their place”, a JUTA member informed The News Now.
Earlier, JUTA headed by Prof Pankaj Shrivastva held a silent protest in the varsity’s premises and later submitted their memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of the varsity. The JUTA had leveled allegations against the JU’S CASH committee which gave findings against the deceased Associate Professor in the short span i.e. two days of the lodging of the complaint of sexual harassment and subsequently followed by his suspension.
“The CASH committee gave its finding without serving the opportunity of being heard to the deceased. We also demand a CBI probe in the case”, said a JUTA member.
Pertinently, a 42-year-old Associate Professor on Wednesday allegedly died by suicide at his office room in the University of Jammu within minutes after he was placed under suspension over allegations of sexual harassment by some female students.
The deceased, Chandra Shekhar, was a native of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. He was teaching at the university since 2007-08. He was married and had been staying with his family in official quarters on the campus.
Quoting JU’s Dean Students Welfare (DSW) Prof Prakash Anthal reports said that Shekhar was placed under suspension by a CASH inquiry committee looking into a complaint filed by some female students against him a few days ago.
“When Shekhar came to know about his suspension, he locked himself in a room around 4 p.m. and was found hanging from the ceiling fan,” reports quoted Anthal as having said.
