Police have started investigation into the sexual harassment case against a former Dibrugarh University professor.
A female ex-student of Dibrugarh University on Wednesday filed a sexual harassment complaint against former professor Dambarudhar Nath at Sonari police station.
“We have registered a case and have started our investigation. We have sent the victim for medical check up. On June 5, 2019, the victim filed an FIR against Nath at Sonari police station. The case has been forwarded to Dibrugarh police station for further investigation,” said a police official of Sonari police station.
Earlier on November 15, 2016, the then post graduate student had filed a complaint before varsity administration against professor Nath, who was during that time working as professor in the department of history at the university.
The student of the department of history in her compliant accused professor Nath of sexually harassing her and outraging her modesty.
Following the complaint, the university started an inquiry through its official internal complaint committees (ICC).
Later, the varsity administration, however, advised Nath to apply for voluntary retirement on health grounds and when he did so it was granted.
This also allegedly paved the way for Nath to go scot-free with all retirement benefits.
Recently, professor Nath was appointed as the vice chancellor of Majuli Cultural University.
Assam Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) vice president Angkita Dutta on Tuesday addressed a press conference in Guwahati and criticised the government’s decision to appoint Nath as the vice chancellor of Majuli Cultural University.
Angkita said that since there were serious allegations of sexual harassment against Nath, how government could appoint such a person as VC of a cultural university.
“Following her complaint to Dibrugarh University, the ICC of the varsity started an inquiry and in every proceeding the victim appeared but Dr Nath didn’t turn up in any of the proceedings. Pallavi Deka Buzaboruah, one of the professors of university and a member of the ICC, had told the victim to withdraw her complaint against Nath as he has already taken voluntary retirement,” Angkita told Northeast Now.
A purported audio clip containing conversion between Nath and the victim surfaced which subsequently has gone viral on social media.
In the audio clip, professor Nath is heard saying the girl to withdraw the complaint.
“What I have done, why are you doing this. You are my dear student, why are you behaving like this…I have given you marks,” Nath is heard as saying.
Sources said as a proof, the victim has submitted the audio clip to police.
Professor Nath, however, has, refuted the allegations and termed that it was conspiracy to malign his image.
