RCU professor suspended for sexual, mental harassment of research student in Vijayapura

Following a complaint of sexual and mental harassment by a research student, Head of the Department of History at the Postgraduate Centre of Rani Channamma University (RCU) in Vijayapura K.L.N. Murthy has been suspended.

In his order issued on Monday, RCU Registrar Santosh Kamagouda has said that as the charge against Prof. Murthy appears to be true prima facie, as per the report of the Internal Grievances Redressal Committee, he has been suspended under the provisions of Section 10 (1)(D) of Karnataka Civil Service (Classification, Control and Appeals) Rules 1957.

The research student had, on November 4, 2024, orally made the complaint of sexual and mental harassment by her research guide (Prof. Murthy) before the vice-chancellor and registrar of the university and in the presence of Prof. Murthy.

The complainant was asked by the authorities to submit a written complaint and evidence and also the progress of her research work to the university within seven days thereof.

Accordingly, the aggrieved research student submitted a handwritten complaint along with evidence to prove her charge.

Subsequently, the university asked the Internal Grievances Redressal Committee to inquire into the complaint of the research student and submit a report.

The committee which submitted its report on July 14 this year said that Prof. Murthy misused his position and his acts amounted to sexual harassment as per the provisions of relevant Act. And, the committee recommended disciplinary action against him, saying it was justified to prevent the recurrence of such acts.

The committee in its report said that the teacher accused of sexual and mental harassment prima facie violated Rule 3(1)(i), 3(iii), 30(1) and Rule 33(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) (prohibition of sexual harassment) of the Karnataka State Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 2021.

Based on the committee report, Prof. Kamagouda passed the suspension order and Prof. Murthy has been directed not to leave the headquarters without the permission of the competent authority.