Acting on the state government’s instructions the University of Mysore has finally taken action against one of its professors accused of sexual harassment, hoping it will put an end to a controversy that has been dogging it for the last year. Vice chancellor, Prof. V.G. Talawar told reporters on Tuesday the university had decided to withdraw all the nine increments Prof Shivabasavaiah had earned since being appointed in 2003 and to transfer him to the Chamarajanagar PG Centre as coordinator to allow Ms Sarita, who had accused him of sexual harassment, to carry on with her research undisturbed.

“The decisions of the syndicate have been formally conveyed to the state government and the transfer order has already been issued to Prof. Shivabasavaiah. The syndicate also considered demoting the professor to a lecturer, but according to a Supreme Court order anyone appointed directly as professor can’t be asked to accept a lower rank. But from now onwards Prof Shivabasavaiah will be paid only his minimum scale salary”, the V-C said, explaining that the university had acted under the provisions of the Karnataka Civil Services Rules and the Karnataka government DPR Circular, 2001on sexual harassment.

Prof Talawar added that the syndicate took the decision after a five-hour deliberation based on the report of the university’s Women Harassment Complaint Committee (WHCC), which held Prof Shivabasavaiah guilty as charged. Asked why the professor was being punished without a departmental inquiry into the allegations against him, he said the university had acted on the orders of the state government. “We were under the hammer to act against him. If Prof Shivabasavaiah or Ms Sarita have any issues with the quantum of punishment, they are free to approach the court,” he added.

But the university’s decision appeared to disappoint Ms Sarita and her husband Dr Vijay Kumar who have decided not to rest until the professor is compulsorily retired.