Women scholars accuse HoD of sexual harassment;probe ordered

Two women Phd scholars of Bharathiyar University here have made allegations of sexual harassment and bribery against the Head of English department, with the administration setting up an inquiry committee.
Announcing the decision, which came days after the two scholars, doing PhD in English, lodged separate complaints against the Professor, BU Vice-Chancellor James Pitchai today said the committee had been asked to submit its report within 30 days.
The accused Prof Saravana Selvan, who was also present, said the charges against him were "motivated by some vested interests" to tarnish his image since he has become a member of the Syndicate of the university.

Backing him, Pitchai also said the charges made by the two women were "totally false" and that if found wrong, action, including legal, would be taken against them.
"Based on the report, action would be taken against those found guilty", he told reporters here.
One of the scholars, in her recent complaint with the Superintendent of Police, alleged that Selvan demanded sexual favour and also money for approving her thesis for submission.

The other scholar had submitted a complaint to the District Collector on July 13 levelling similar charges against the Professor and seeking action against him.
The Professor claimed he had submitted a memorandum to the university authorities earlier to inquire into allegations levelled against him by some others in the past.

Even before a decision was taken on it, these two women had now come out with the charges against him, he said, indicating that he was being targeted.