Panel to probe into harassment case

The committee, comprising Dr Jayshree Mehta of the Baroda Medical College, Tejal Amin and A Pepalla of the English Department, will submit the report within 10 days.

Meanwhile, the University has instructed the Commerce Faculty Dean to allow the girl student to change the guide and also help her to find another guide. Dr Kane has also advised the Dean to continue her scholarship as per the university rules.

Dr Kane told Express Newsline that the Committee had been formed as per guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court, which states that the committee should be headed by a woman and half of the members should also be women.

Kane said the committee was formed after former Pro Vice-Chancellor Amita Verma and Dr G N Shukla of the Surgery department, who were asked to advise him on the matter, said considering the limited scope they got, it was difficult to arrive at a conclusion.

Meanwhile, a signature campaign demanding action against the professor is gathering momentum. While the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ABVP has submitted a memorandum, the NSUI, too, has demanded action.

Kane said he had talked to a cross-section of people associated with the university and while some demanded action against the accused, others had said he was innocent.

He reiterated that the issue had been taken seriously and action would be taken against the guilty. On the delay in forming the committee, Kane said he was not aware that a committee had to be formed as per Supreme Court guidelines. He said the two members had apprised him of the rule.

Meanwhile, more than 500 girl students supported by a large number of voluntary organisations, including Mahila Samakhya, Olakh, Mahila Sanskrutik Sangathan and others, took out a massive rally today afternoon demanding action against the professor.

Later, in a memorandum submitted to the V-C, they said they would not settle for anything less than the professor8217;s suspension. The memo points out that if a male student of the university had done such a thing, he would have been debarred.

The girl students have alleged that were being prevented by the Hostel warden to hold meetings in support of the girl student. They also alleged that the warden had allowed the professor8217;s wife to meet the complainant.

Meanwhile, warden of the K G Hall Manisha Chaudhary told Express Newsline that no one would be allowed to meet the student as she was in a disturbed state.