The Madras Christian College (MCC) in the neighbourhood has initiated an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) probe in the wake of the alleged sexual harassment of girl students by one of their professors, during a department trip to Karnataka in January.
The principal-in-charge, A Duraisamy, said, the issue has been passed onto the ICC and the representatives of the Zoology department too, have been informed about this.
It is said that the ICC will be headed by a senior female faculty member and will begin its hearings shortly, while the victims have been asked to use the opportunity to voice their grievances, so that the committee can ensure the college provides a safe environment for women.
According to sources, 35 out of the 50 students, who went on the trip, signed a complaint detailing the incidents of harassment and the inaction of the other staff member during the holiday, and sent it to college principal Alexander who had forwarded it to the Head of the Zoology Department, without informing the ICC.
Sources said after a brief enquiry, the offenders were ordered not to accompany students for trips for the next three years and not to evaluate exam papers of the affected class.
However, the students were not happy about the ‘punishment’ and wanted strict action, following which the issue was transferred to the ICC. The professor seems to have denied the allegations and alleged there were political motives behind this.