West Bengal: Visva-Bharati professor accused of molesting PhD student

A PhD student of Agricultural Extension, Economics and Statistics department of Visva-Bharati in Santiniketan has leveled charges of molestation against a professor of the department. The accused Siddhartha Deb Mukhopadhyay is the university’s Dean of Students’ Welfare. Viswa Bharti authorities have initiated an inquiry against Mukhopadhyay.

Mukhopadhyay has been asked not to interact with students on a one-on-one basis. The Visva-Bharati authorities have also removed the teacher from his position of the Dean till the inquiry is over. The allegation is being probed by the university’s standing committee on sexual harassment.

The alleged victim, a resident of Manipur, has returned to her state after the incident. Visva-Bharti authorities said that they are trying to persuade the student to return and appear before the committee. The incident happened on October 4 and a complaint was registered with the university’s Vice Chancellor a day later.