Stephen's molestation: HRD Min asks UGC to take steps

Amid a raging controversy over the alleged molestation at St Stephen's College, HRD Ministry on Saturday asked UGC to take "appropriate measures" to ensure the institute's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) completes the enquiry "expeditiously" and "impartially".

"Given the fact that the complainant has expressed apprehensions regarding the impartiality of the ICC, the Ministry has asked the UGC to take appropriate measures to ensure that the committee completes the enquiry expeditiously and impartially," sources in the Ministry said.

The Ministry had earlier instructed the college to expedite the probe.

The complainant has refused to appear before the ICC as of now, saying she is "seeking redress elsewhere". "I would like to make it clear that I have withdrawn my complaint from your committee and do not wish to pursue the matter before it as I am seeking redress elsewhere,” she said in an 

email to the ICC chairman.

She added: "Given the present situation of my withdrawal, the need for my appearance before the committee does not arise.”

The research scholar had approached the police on June 19, alleging that she was molested by Satish Kumar, an assistant professor in college's Chemistry Department. She had also accused college principal Valson Thampu of "shielding" the accused when the matter was reported to the ICC.

The complainant had withdrawn her complaint from the ICC on June 21, claiming that she has lost faith in the committee's proceedings.