Sex abuse row hits St Stephen’s College

“The cut-offs are so high for the college... The alumni are working on important positions across the country. The matter concerns the college’s reputation and should be investigated,” she added. An FIR was registered on Friday against Satish Kumar, an assistant professor in St Stephen’s chemistry department, after a PhD student filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment by him.

Also, a team of Delhi police on Saturday quizzed the members of the administration and internal probe committee of the coveted college. The police officials approached the college administration on Saturday morning and inquired about the matter as the victim had already filed a complaint with the college’s internal complaints committee (ICC) in February, the police said.

A senior police officer said that the case is being handled very carefully keeping the college’s reputation in mind. “We have got information from the ICC members. We also contacted Mr Thampu and the bursar to get their versions,” the police officials said, adding, “Every step is being taken on merit.” In the FIR, the complainant had alleged that Prof. Kumar “sexually assaulted” her in October 2013 inside a laboratory.

As per the complaint, Prof. Kumar also followed the victim to a Metro station close to the college when she fled after freeing herself from him. The victim also alleged that she was first harassed in May 2013 in the same laboratory.

She said that it continued despite her refusals. In her complaint, she also said that Prof. Kumar stopped guiding her in her research and kept a watch on her social media accounts. The victim’s statement was also recorded before the magistrate on Saturday afternoon. The Delhi police refused to share much information about the case.