Professor couple from Sri Venkateswara University held for sexual harassment

During February last year,both the Research Scholars have complained that Rajeswara Rao was behaving indecently with them demanding sexual gratification of them. They complained against Rajeswara Rao to their Guide Professor K Vijaya Kumari.

However,Vijaya Kumari,herself being a woman did not take any steps to protect the interests of her lady Research Scholars.

Despite repeated complaints over the matter,Vijaya instead of reprimanding her husband had rebuked the Research Scholars for not providing private vehicles to her personal journeys,the top CID official explained.

Later,both Research Scholars complained to the SVU’s then Vice-Chancellor Prabhakar about this matter and requested to change the Guide. As there was no relief to them even several months after complaint,the victims approached the media,Murthy said.

After they went to the media,the then Vice Chancellor appointed a Fact Finding Committee of three members. The fact finding Committee examined the issue in detail and after examining several students,teaching and non-teaching staff members,found Professor M Rajeswara Rao guilty.

The Executive Council of Sri Venkateswara University,Tirupathi (which is the apex decision making body of the University) accepted the findings of the Committee and did not find the explanation of Rajeswara Rao satisfactory and recommended action against him. But there was no overt action on it except changing the Guide to Research Scholars,the CID official said.

Following these developments a enquiry was ordered by Ramana Murthy (as it amounted to a cognizable offence) and a case was ordered to be registered in CID against Professor Rajeswara Rao. During the course of investigation,the role of his wife Vijaya Kumari was also established as an abettor,Murthy said.

Both wife and husband are arrested and will be produced in the court of fourth ADM in Chittoor and a report will be sent to the authorities concerned for taking further departmental action against the Professor couple,Murthy added.