Bengaluru: Bringing more shame to the city, a lecturer in a government women's college close to the Vidhana Soudha, has now been accused of molestation by a student, who claims he kissed her on seeing her wearing a new dress.
While the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) has removed the lecturer from the college and sent him on deputation to a government college in Jewargi, Kalaburgi district in response to her complaint, no police case has been lodged against him, say sources in the higher education department.
The lecturer in question is reportedly a writer and a well known cultural personality of the state. "The incident was reported Thursday morning. The girl is from a very poor family. He allegedly kissed her as she was wearing something new to college and she immediately lodged a complaint,” said sources in the higher education department.
Confirming the incident, Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan MN, commissioner, Department of Collegiate Education, said the college principal had forwarded the complaint from the girl student to it.” Following a preliminary investigation, we have sent the lecturer in question to the government college in Jewargi on deputation and I have directed the college authorities to take all legal action necessary besides counselling the victim,” he added.
But questioning the department’s actions, a higher education officer claimed the lecturer’s supporters had ensured he got off scot-free and there was no police investigation into the incident.
“ The college should have requested the police to investigate the incident immediately as otherwise there is every possibility of the evidence being destroyed and eye-witnesses being pressured to retract their statements. This is a classic example of girl students, who are vulnerable to sexual offenses , being treated lightly even after they lodge a complaint," said an officer. Sources in the DCE confirmed that no police complaint had been registered against the lecturer as yet.
