The Director-cum-Principal of Hydro Engineering College, Bilaspur has been suspended due to serious allegations of sexual harassment. On Tuesday, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani informed the media about the action taken. He stated that such incidents will not be tolerated and that the government will take strict measures in such cases.
The investigation was conducted by a three-member women’s committee formed by the Department of Technical Education, which found the allegations against the principal to be valid. Based on statements from students and the evidence submitted in the report, the government decided to suspend him. During the investigation, the committee spoke with nearly three dozen female students and reviewed messages and other proofs presented by several of them.
The case began on April 8, when a former student of Sundernagar Engineering College lodged a complaint on the Samagra E-Samadhan portal. The complaint alleged that the accused had exhibited inappropriate behavior towards female students during his tenure at Sundernagar College, and that similar behavior continued at the Hydro College.
The matter escalated on May 22, when a video of the principal along with details of the molestation allegations went viral on social media. Following this, students staged a protest at the college that lasted nearly five hours. That same night, based on a complaint from a female student, the police registered a case and arrested the principal. The student alleged that the principal had molested her during medical treatment at a hospital last year. Currently, the accused principal is out on bail, and the investigation is being carried out by the Sadar Police Station.
This strict action taken by the government has sent a strong message regarding the importance of women's safety in educational institutions.
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