Rajamahendravaram: Nannaya varsity suspends assistant professor

Rajamahendravaram: Adikavi Nannaya University (AKNU) vice-chancellor Prof P Suresh Varma suspended assistant professor N Surya Raghavendra in the wake of sexual harassment allegations levelled against by some MA English students of the university.

Speaking to reporters at his office here on Monday, the vice-chancellor said the assistant professor who has been working as head of English department for four years, was suspended to facilitate impartial inquiry into the allegations.

Some 2017-2019 batch MA students sent a complaint to Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on September 4 alleging sexual harassment. It was received by the university on September 7. The VC said immediately an inquiry commission with women cell was constituted to look into charges but no prima facie evidence was found in preliminary report submitted by the panel.

As per the norms of University Grants Commission (UGC), a five-member committee was constituted on Monday for a detailed inquiry and based on the report to be submitted by it, further action would be initiated against Raghavendra, Prof Suresh Varma said.

Meanwhile, YSRCP leaders Jakkampudi Vijaya Lakshmi, M Sharmila Reddy, AIDWA district secretary Tulasi alleged that vice-chancellor Prof Suresh Varma was trying to protect Raghavendra who is his close friend.

They added that they cannot trust the committee and questioned what was the need for the committee when Raghavendra had admitted his mistake in VC's chamber and asked the VC to lodge a police complaint.