The Syndicate Committee of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) has resolved to relieve a professor, who is facing sexual harassment charges, under “compulsory retirement”.
“The Syndicate Committee that met on Thursday resolved to relieve P. Govindaraju from the MSU under compulsory retirement,” said one of its members. The committee also resolved to “terminate from service” three faculty members of the Department of English, for “dereliction of duty”.
After Dr. Govindaraju, formerly Head, Department of Communication, MSU, allegedly called a woman research scholar at the odd hours over the phone and sexually harassed her, Vice-Chancellor K. Baskar, Registrar S. Santhosh Baboo, Women’s Cell of MSU, Syndicate Committee and the Internal Complaints Cell of MSU received CDs containing the controversial conversations.
Independent probes
As the Internal Complaints Cell (ICC), after examining the research scholar, found Dr. Govindaraju guilty, the ICC submitted its report recommending “further action on this issue by a competent probing agency (police)”, while the Syndicate Committee grilled the faculty member under question.
“Since both investigations have found Dr. Govindaraju of guilty , the decision was made,” a source said.
On the termination of three faculty members of Department of English, sources said “dereliction of duty” was the prime charge they were facing. “After complaints were received against the faculty members R. Ramesh, J. Jenitha and N. Poovalingam, a probe panel, headed by a former Director General of Police was formed,” the sources added
