AU student complains of sexual harassment by HoD

Mahila Chetana general secretary K Padma, Lalitha of Stri Sakthi and members of Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC) met Andhra University Registrar Prof. K Ramamohana Rao on Friday. They demanded stringent action against head of the department of Sanskrit Prof .Yedukondalu by recommending the police to register a case for reportedly harassing the MA first year student.

Unable to bear physical and mental harassment of Prof. Yedukondalu along with a research scholar B Sagarbabu, the student victim has lodged a complaint to the Vice- Chancellor Prof. G S N Raju and woman organisations on Thursday. However, the Vice- Chancellor without attracting criticism placed the research scholar under suspension and no action was taken against the professor which irked the woman organisations. Padma, general secretary of Mahila Chetana alleged on Friday that they have reports that the same professor was also harassing even the sweeper and also arranged a furnished bed-room for himself in his chambers.

She informed that the Professor who came to know of the complaint to the VC, began threatening the complainant to withdraw her petition failing which she has to face severe circumstances.

“For the last six months, the HoD has been compelling the victim to fulfill his sexual desire in connivance with the research scholar and when she refused it, the HoD was marking her absent without providing the attendance register and we demand the AU VC to recommend the local police to register a case under Nirbhaya Act on both of the accused immediately”, the woman leaders said.

Stri Sakthi leader Lalitha felt it was now the turn of Prof. Yedukondalu after Prof. Ramunaidu and Prof. Balla Appa Rao who faced simple suspensions against complaints of sexual harassments which were on the rise in the recent times.

University registrar Prof. Ramamohana Rao informed the woman team that they have set up an inquiry committee into the allegations and expecting the report in a week’s time. After verifying the report, action would be taken on the erring if it is so warranted.