Mangalore, Aug 1 (DHNS): The Mangalore University has suspended Prof Thippeswamy of the Biosciences department, following a complaint from two research scholars, alleging sexual harassment.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankara Murthy said the suspension will be in vogue till the enquiry committee completes the enquiry. “In a case like sexual harassment, the suspension is inevitable.  Without suspending the concerned person, those research students will find it difficult to depose before the committee.”

It may be recalled that two Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) at Mangalore University had quit their research projects, accusing Prof Thippeswamy in the biosciences department of sexual harassment. The research scholars — one from Delhi and the other from Mangalore — had sent their complaints to Governor and Chancellor H R Bhardwaj and Vice Chancellor Prof T C Shivashankar Murthy.

They were working in the biosciences department on a project for the last 11 months.

No action

To a query on large scale manipulations held during the tabulation process of the LLB (bachelor of laws) degree examination of October 2008 conducted by Mangalore University and the action taken against the accused who is also a government college lecturer, he said “we have written to the government two months ago to take action against the lecturer. However, no action has been initiated so far in spite of University filing a criminal case against the lecturer.” In fact, Higher Education Department Secretary had said that they are looking into the file and the process is on, he added.

BBM scam

To a query on the manipulation that has taken place in BBM examination held in November 2008, Prof Murthy said that a legal expert has been appointed to look into the manipulation. It may be recalled that the University authorities had randomly checked the BBM results of 10 colleges and detected cases of manipulations.