The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar has suspended Dr. D Koteshwara Raju, a faculty member (professor) from the Department of Electrical Engineering, following allegations of molestation by a first-year female student.
The decision was taken in the early morning on March 21, after group of students launched a massive protest following the allegation. They demand his immediate termination, a permanent ban from campus and also legal action against the professor.
The suspension was enforced around 3:00 AM today.
According to sources, Dr. Raju allegedly touched inappropriately the female student, this made her talk about the incident with other students. This incident led to widespread outrage and protest.
Institutional sources revealed that this is not the first complaint against Dr. Raju, as he was previously accused of similar misconduct in 2021. Additionally, there are concerns that multiple other incidents may have gone unreported.
The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of NIT Silchar has launched a formal investigation into the matter. Operating under The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, the ICC is tasked with handling complaints related to sexual harassment involving female students and employees.
