Bharathiar University scholar accuses professor of seeking bribe for PhD degree
14 July 2015 8:44 AM IST
Elsamma Sebastian had registered for doctoral studies in 2009
Elsamma Sebastian
Coimbatore: Research scholar Elsamma Sebastian of the English department in Bharathiar University filed a petition to the district collector Archana Patnaik alleging sexual harassment and the demand of a bribe to clear her viva-voce. She had registered for doctoral studies in 2009 and was a research scholar under the guidance of Dr Vijay Nair, associate professor of the Government Victoria College, Palakkad, in Kerala.
“As per the direction of the university authorities, my PhD viva-voce examination was held on February 27, 2015 at 2.30 pm in the seminar hall of the language block of the university. But, so far, I have not been issued the provisional certificate,” she alleged.
“When I enquired about my provisional certificate, I learnt that the certificate has been delayed because Dr P. Nagaraj, assistant professor, department of English and Dr Saravana Selvan, the head of the department, had lodged a complaint against my viva voce examination and the vice chancellor had made a note in favour of the complainant directing the conducting of the viva voce again,” she alleged.
The 52-year-old candidate said that her viva-voce was fixed by the university and as per the instructions of the Dr Saravana Selvan she distributed the viva voce notification to all the faculty members of the departments of English and Linguistics. But on the day of the viva voce examination she came to know that the H.O.D. was not available. “Also there were two vivas at the same time under the same observer, Dr Nagaraj. He asked me to pay him Rs 2 lakh within two days if I wanted to get my viva done and get my certificate of the doctorate degree.”
When contacted, Dr P. Nagaraj denied the charge, saying, “We never asked for any bribe and there were no confusion in conducting the viva. If she has substantial evidence, then she can present it and the administration department will take care.”
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
