Madurai Kamaraj University withdraws 5-member internal enquiry committee
Chennai: After the formation of high power committee by Governor Banwarilal Purohit to inquire into the Aruppukottai incident in which a woman professor tried to lure four of her girl students to do sexual favours, the Madurai Kamaraj University has withdrawn on Tuesday its proposal to set up a five-member internal committee.
In a press release, Madurai Kamaraj University Vice-Chancellor P.P. Chelladurai announced that the high power committee headed by R.Santhanam will commence the inquiry forthwith for which the university will be rendering all necessary assistance.
In an audio clip that emerged a few days ago, Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor of Devanga Arts College in Aruppukottai, was heard luring four of her students to do sexual favours in return for money and academic progress. During the telephone conversation, she also makes references to Madurai Kamaraj University officials.
“Based on this, the Madurai Kamaraj University was proposing to set up a five-member committee consisting of professors and assistant professors of the university to inquire into the issue and submit a report. The proposal was prepared by the administrative unit of the university to be approved by the V-C who was away in Delhi,” the release said.
Meanwhile, based on a report from the Vice-Chancellor, Governor Banwarilal Purohit ordered a high powered enquiry by retired IAS officer R.Santhanam to inquire into the issue.
“The University is keen that all details with regard to the incident to be enquired into without any bias. Hence the proposal to form an internal committee in the university has been withdrawn,” he said in the release.
Governor faces aggressive media, mostly smiling
Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Tuesday faced, perhaps, the most hostile encounter in life when he called for a press conference at the Raj Bhavan. Not even his toughest political combats in and outside the Parliament would have given him the unsavoury experience as a battery of reporters, mostly from the TV media, bombarded him with questions suggesting he was linked to the Nirmala Devi sex scam.
Maintaining a smile on his face for most part of the nearly one-hour session, Governor Purohit at times appeared annoyed as the reporters repeated their questions-nay, statements and accusations-if he had no ulterior motive in calling for the press conference close on the heels of Devi's arrest, and if he had constituted the Santhanam probe committee “to push his own involvement under the carpet”.
“Don't you at least have some respect for the Constitutional office of the Governor?” pleaded Purohit and at another time, pointed out he was 78-years-old and “am like your grandfather, lucky to have great grandchildren”.
