‘Lachar Beti’ case: After acquittal, asst prof given VRS, barred on college campus

AGRA: Weeks after a court in Hathras acquitted professor Rajneesh Kumar, 59, in the ill-famous “Lachar Beti” sexual harassment case after three women present as victims retracted their statements, the college management granted him voluntary retirement (VRS) and barred him from entering the campus, officials said on Sunday. Chairman of the college management committee Vaidya Gopal Sharan Garg told TOI that the professor’s actions tarnished the institution’s image.There was widespread outrage after the case was filed through an anonymous complaint titled “Lachar Beti” (helpless daughter) to the chairperson of the National Commission for Women. Attached to it were photographs and videos purportedly showing Kumar behaving inappropriately with female students.Kumar’s lawyer Virender Singh said, “We will review the college’s decision, and if there is any injustice to my client, we will approach the high court.”A college official said there are around six thousand students in the govt-funded institution. Kumar had served at the geography department for over two decades. Since his acquittal, he hasn’t visited the college and his whereabouts are not known.Kumar was arrested in March last year after he had gone into hiding. He faced charges under BNS sections 64(2) (rape), 68 (sexual intercourse by a person in authority) and 75 (sexual harassment), along with provisions of the IT Act. The FIR was registered at Hathras Gate police station on a complaint filed by sub-inspector Sunil Kumar.