Date:02/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/02/stories/2007050209180500.htm

New Delhi

DU faculty members want HoD to step down

Staff Reporter

Till the time an inquiry against him is completed

NEW DELHI: Nine faculty members of the Department of Political Science at Delhi University have written to Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental demanding that their Head, Bidyut Chakraborty, be asked to step down from his position till the time an inquiry against him is completed.

The University's Apex Complaints Committee has set up an inquiry committee to look into allegations of sexual and mental harassment made by the Officer on Special Duty at Gandhi Bhawan, Anamika Sharma, against Prof. Chakraborty. "We have written to Prof. Pental that since there is an inquiry into charges of sexual harassment that is being conducted against Prof. Chakraborty, pending its recommendations, we would like him to step down from a public post," said Saroj Giri, a lecturer in the Department, on Monday.

"We have also mentioned that his continued presence as Head has led to a kind of atmosphere that has hampered normal functioning in the Department. There are other individuals who are not comfortable with his presence. A lot of people have approached us against him," Dr. Giri added.

He said Prof. Pental gave all the faculty members a hearing and promised to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) has also demanded that Prof. Pental act on the letter written by the teachers since several people associated with the Department feel "vulnerable" in deposing before the committee investigating the charges of sexual harassment against Prof. Chakraborty.