Girl raises sexual abuse charge against faculty

The issue came to light when the girl’s relatives gathered at Tamil Nadu Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vazhavachanoor near Thandarampattu in Tiruvannamalai district after she complained of being sexually harassed by an assistant professor, reportedly aided by two woman professors who were wardens of the hostel.

Accompanied by villagers, her father Malaisamy barged into the institute and accosted principal S Rajendran demanding action against the culprits. Rajendran promised action after an inquiry. 

However, the matter blew up when the girl spoke to a television news channel, following which District Judge G Maghizhendhi announced that he would visit the institute on Wednesday evening. When the judge came there in the evening, the victim gave him a statement on the alleged incidents in the presence of a female member of the judiciary. Her father, too, had interacted with the judge before that. Later, speaking to the media, Judge Maghizhendhi said he has ordered the police to inquire into the matter. Noting that it was shameful that parents were reportedly fearful of sending their girl children to study due to such issues, he assured of strict action once the truth was revealed. 

However, Tiruvannamalai district collector KS Kandasamy had a different take on the matter. According to him, there were repeated complaints against the girl in the past, charging her of hiding things that belonged to her hostel mates. “She had been given counselling, and on one occasion, she had even given in writing that she would not indulge in such acts. This was after she broke a classmate’s mobile phone and threw it into the toilet,” the collector told DT Next. “However, the truth would be revealed only after an impartial inquiry,” Kandasamy added.

But so far, other than District Judge Maghizhendhi recommending police action, no case has been registered till now. Sources said, the staff members facing the accusation continue to be on duty at the college.