Puducherry: A PhD scholar of Pondicherry University filed a complaint against a professor for intimidating her with threats of ‘pouring acid on her’ over several months of harassment. In her complaint to the Vice Chancellor of the university, the student said she had filed a police complaint against A. Praveen, assistant professor of Pondicherry University (Physical Education) in August last year for using abusive language and threatening her by saying that he will ‘rape’ her if she continues to participate in the agitation launched by students demanding removal of the university’s vice-chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy.
Following the complaint from the girl, Praveen was booked under Sections 294 (obscene acts and songs), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code. She went to Kalapet police station to lodge a complaint but police asked her to obtain permission from the vice-chancellor or registrar in-charge to file a case against Praveen.
The threat and stalking by Praveen continued for over a year. On August 2, he stopped her in front of the hostel with a bottle in his hand and demanded her to withdraw the complaint filed against him in the police station. The professor threatened to kill her in a month, and said that he will pour acid on her face, the complaint said.
Praveen also warned the girl that no action would be taken against him because of his ‘influence’ among the authorities. The student informed the registrar, who promised to take necessary action after enquiry. As no action was taken against Praveen, she decided to lodge another official complaint against him.
Two years ago, Praveen was booked by police on charges of threatening two girl students, who had lodged complaints of sexual harassment and ragging against a student of the physical education department. Admitting that the he had received an oral complaint from the girl against Praveen, registrar in charge M Ramachandran said that action will be taken against the professor after enquiry.
