File case against assist prof for sexual abuse: HC

A girl student from the university filed a petition that came up for hearing before Justice GR Swaminathan. The petitioner stated that Vinoth Vincent Rajesh, the assistant professor, Department of History, sexually abused some girl students of the university, which then formed a committee to inquire. During a Syndicate meeting convened on February 1, 2016, it was decided to suspend the assistant professor if proven guilty and also to cut increments. During the meeting, the assistant professor was warned of severe action. Later, he was suspended from the university. Citing these, the petitioner sought the bench to direct the police to file a case against the assistant professor for necessary action.

The judge observed that the incident occurred in 2015 and the victim lodged a complaint with the police in July of the same year. A writ petition was filed regarding these before the court in 2016. After hearing, the judge directed the Registrar of MSU to submit a report of the internal inquiry committee’s findings concerning such allegations to the Pettai Inspector of Police within a period of three weeks. The Inspector of Police should register a case without further delays and complete the investigation within three months.