TU student sexually abused by assistant professor, FIR lodged

After sexual harassment to a final year student of Sociology department of Tripura University by an assistant professor of Philosophy department, the students of the varsity staged a massive demonstration of Tuesday demanding suspension of accused faculty member.

Sources said that the alleged incident took place inside the campus on Monday, when the accused called the Sociology Department student for an oral (Viva) examination and sexually abused her.

After the incident, the victim student immediately informed her friends and one of them has also informed the matter to the leaders of ABVP. They, with the victim girl, rushed to the chamber of Vice-Chancellor Ganga Prasad Prasain.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC) had personally spoken to the victim girl and has initiated a process for departmental enquiry. By that time, the victim girl fell sick and was rushed to the varsity’s hospital. After her condition deteriorated, she was referred to the Tripura Medical College (TMC) with oxygen support.

On Tuesday, agitated leaders of ABVP and students staged demonstration in front of VC’s chamber with the victim girl and her mother demanding immediate suspension of the accused teacher.

During demonstration VC Ganga Prasad Prasain along with other senior faculty members of the university arrived at the spot and they assured the agitated students to form an enquiry committee and fact finding committee as per the rules of Central University. Vice-Chancellor Ganga Prasad Prasain also assured that an impartial inquiry will be conducted into the allegation.

Prasain said that the Tripura University is a central university, and it functions under certain rules and regulations. The authorities will constitute a committee to probe the allegation, and action will be taken based on the finding.

The mother of the victim girl and ABVP students submitted two separate memorandum before VC demanding suspension of the accused teacher. The mother of the victim girl has also lodged an FIR at Amtali police station demanding justice for her daughter.

Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Law and Order, Jyotishman Das Chowdhury said the police have registered a case of sexual abuse against the assistant professor.

The final year girl claimed that the accused sexually harassed her instead of asking her questions related to the examination.

Das Chowdhury also said that police have also recorded the statement of the victim girl and as per law, steps will be taken at the earliest.