THRISSUR: Calicut University suspended S Sunil Kumar, an assistant professor at its school of drama, on Monday following allegations of sexual abuse by a girl student even as other students intensified their agitation demanding his immediate arrest.
CU VC MK Jayaraj said Kumar, who is also the dean of faculty (fine arts), has been banned from entering the campus as it might further upset the students. He said the current HoD (school of drama) Vinod Narayanan has requested that he be relieved from the post and CU has accepted his request.
Earlier, students had alleged that Narayanan did not take action when the student had given an oral complaint about the sexual abuse. CU also asked the internal complaints committee to probe the allegation.
The committee, headed by Gita Kumari from Sanskrit department, has been asked to give a preliminary report within 15 days, said Jayaraj, who visited the campus on Sunday with the registrar. Jayaraj said CU has forwarded the complaint of the student to Thrissur city police commissioner for appropriate action.
Later, Thrissur West SHO KC Byju informed that Kumar has gone into hiding. Police also said the student gave her statement before a magistrate under CrPC Section 164 on Monday. A copy of the statement is likely to be received on Wednesday. But, students alleged that the SHO was hostile when they went to submit the complaint. Thrissur ACP VK Raju said police have registered two FIRs based on the two complaints of the student.
Meanwhile, students from all courses joined the ongoing stir. Around 720 students are studying courses like BEd, MBA, DCA, MA, apart from the courses in theatre and music. They locked the campus gate detaining all faculty members and others inside, demanding Kumar’s arrest. However, they opened the gate later after police assured prompt action.
Gadha R Krishnan, a student, alleged that the survivor was first beaten up by a visiting faculty. When the girl complained about this to the dean, he tried to sexually abuse her while offering help, she alleged. Several artists, who studied here, are supporting the agitation.
