Molestation case: Victim refuses to involve in St Stephen's enquiry

NEW DELHI: The complainant in connection with the alleged molestation case involving her professor at St Stephen's college, has refused to appear before the institution's Internal Complaints Committee, saying she is "seeking redress elsewhere".

"I would like to make it abundantly clear that I have withdrawn my complaint from your committee and do not wish to pursue the matter before it as I am seeking redress elsewhere.

"Given the present situation of my withdrawal, the need for my appearance before the committee does not arise," she said in an email to the Internal Complaints Committee's (ICC) chairman.

The complainant, a research scholar at the college had withdrawn her complaint from the ICC on June 21 claiming that she has lost faith in the committee's proceedings.

The HRD ministry, however, had instructed the college to expedite the probe, and she was asked to appear before the ICC.

The research scholar had approached 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.

Taking cognisance of the controversy, Delhi Commission of Women had also written to the college seeking an action taken report.

The accused, who was also the Bursar of the college was last week denied anticipatory bail by a Delhi Court in connection with the case, following which he had resigned from the post.