St Stephen's molestation row: Valson Thampu appears before NCW

NEW DELHI: St Stephen's principal Valson Thampu today appeared before the National Commission for Women in connection with a row over the alleged molestation of a research scholar by a college professor and said he will not let go of this "death dance" unchallenged.

"I was asked to appear before the National Commission for Women (NCW) today. I was happy to do so. Any effort that leads to the establishment of truth and, through that, of justice is an absolute joy for me. No hardship suffered will be too much to attain this purpose," Thampu said in a Facebook post.

The principal who has been accused by the scholar of shielding the professor, reiterated that the girl has been "taken hold of by a bunch of crooks who are using her for ulterior motives".

"I am duty-bound to fight this depravity, using whatever means I have. I will be ashamed of myself, if I let this death dance go on unchallenged," he said.

"For me it is an unbearably painful thing to see this most shameless thing happen as and when it does," he added.

The girl had in July approached police alleging that she was sexually harassed by Chemistry professor Satish Kumar under whom she was doing her PhD. Her allegations against Thampu paved way for demands for his resignation by certain students, teachers and women rights groups.

A complaint before the Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) is also pending in connection with the case. DCW chief Swati Maliwal had summoned Thampu and the professor last month.

Meanwhile, NCW officials were not available for their comment about the meeting.