New Delhi, June 24 (IANS): The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has sought a report from the principal of St. Stephen's College here about the alleged sexual harassment of a research student by a professor, a top college official said.

"The notice came in yesterday (Tuesday) evening. I will send it (the report) to the ministry," ollege principal Valson Thampu told IANS.

A Delhi University research scholar has alleged that a professor at St. Stephen's College sexually harassed her.

Sources said that as the bursar (a financial administrator) of the college, Satish Kumar was entitled to take decisions in the principal's absence. He was also the youngest bursar in college' history.

As bursar, Kumar was also automatically elevated as a member of the college governing council.

Sources say that the professor had, in the past, backed Revd. Thampu in the governing council when the principal faced criticism over important decisions.

In a seven-page complaint, the scholar has alleged that Kumar harassed her. She claims that the professor had sexually assaulted her in October, 2013 but she never pressed charges fearing for her career.

The scholar told police when she approached the college principal last December, instead of helping her Thampu asked her to withdraw her complaint against Kumar.