Stephen's molestation: Research scholar seeks Thampu's

The St Stephen's research scholar who has alleged that she was sexually harassed by a professor today sought HRD Minister Smriti Irani's intervention for the removal of the college's principal Valson Thampu as she accused him of "manipulating evidence".
"I request your intervention directing Thampu to step down from the post of principal for the duration of the investigation as he has tried manipulating evidence in his favour using the power of his position," she said in her representation to Irani.
"He (Thampu) has refused to step down from his position of power during the time of this investigation despite playing a very murky role in trying to protect the accused, Satish Kumar," she claimed in her letter, copies of which have been sent to University Grants Commission (UGC), Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) and the National Commission of Women (NCW).

The victim, who had met Irani on July 23, has alleged that police has so far failed to take any action on her complaint and that neither is she being told whether the principal is also being probed in the case.
The girl had approached police last month alleging that she was molested by Kumar, an assistant professor in the college's Chemistry department under whom she was pursuing research.
She had also accused Thampu of "shielding" the teacher when the matter was reported to him.
Following the meeting with the research scholar, Irani had directed Delhi University to ensure that her stipend was released on time and she was granted unrestricted access to the laboratory besides being assigned a new supervisor.

The girl, however, has alleged in the representation that there has been no response so far to her applications to the Vice Chancellor and the university's Chemistry department.