Harassment: Anna Univ asst prof relieved of duties

Trichy: An assistant professor in the department of pharmaceutical technology at Anna University's Trichy campus has been relieved of all academic responsibilities following allegations of ‘harassment' made by students. University sources said students raised complaints against the professor last month. While some staff members described the issue as one involving sexual harassment, university authorities maintained that the present complaints relate to only harassment and intimidation. "Though he has had a history of sexual harassment allegations previously, there is no sexual harassment complaint this time. Students have raised complaints such as threatening them with internal marks, restricting them from participating in academic, extracurricular activities, mentoring sessions, expert lectures, and verbal abuse. They had also escalated the issue to the CM Cell," multiple sources privy to the development told TOI. Apart from the students' complaints, the professor is also facing allegations of academic negligence, irregular attendance and disruption of departmental functioning. Subsequently, dean T Senthil Kumar, on the directions of the university registrar in Chennai and in consultation with the head of the department, ordered that the assistant professor be relieved of all academic responsibilities. He was also directed to hand over original academic records related to the courses handled by him. Sources said the first phase of the inquiry was held on Apr 26. "There will be an inquiry on Monday. The assistant professor also failed to submit all academic records such as attendance registers, internal assessment answer scripts, assignments and laboratory records despite multiple reminders from HOD," a university source said. On Apr 30, another communication was sent asking him to explain his non-compliance and insubordination to the directions to submit all documents. "However, no explanation has been given by the professor so far," he said.University sources said that in 2012, he was placed under suspension until the fifth month of 2013 after allegations of sexual harassment against students surfaced. Later, when he was working at the Ariyalur campus as a dean (in charge) between 2022 -2024, similar sexual harassment complaints surfaced again. "He was removed even before completing his full term there and sent here. It's unfortunate that while the university is doing well in terms of placements and admissions, a few individuals dent the reputation of all the good work," the university source added.