JU professor accused of sexual misconduct

KOLKATA: A former woman research assistant, under the science faculty at Jadavpur University, has slapped “body shaming” charges against a professor after quitting her job on September 30. She has also accused the professor of making “sexually-coloured remarks” and insisting that she share a room with him during a foreign trip.
The former research assistant, in her letter to JU vice-chancellor Suranjan Das, stated: “The trauma that I suffered since August left me with little option (but to lodge a complaint after resigning).The accused continues to come to the campus as if nothing happened. I could not take this anymore.” An internal complaints committee has been set up to look into the matter. This is the second time that such a complaint has come up within the science faculty.
The complainant wrote that the professor had insisted on sharing a room in Europe where they went to present a paper. “Careful about my privacy and comfort, I tried protesting but failed,” she stated. She wrote the letter at the end of October, a week after she resigned.
The accused professor contested the “sexual harassment” part of the complaint. “I have been told that a complaint has been made against me over harassment,” he said. Das said: “The complaint is now with the internal committee that must submit a report within 90 days of receiving the complaint.”