New Delhi: Aloke Kumar Ghosal, dean of academic affairs in Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati was arrested on Tuesday for alleged rape and sexual harassment of a junior employee of the institution, police and the institute’s authorities said.

The institute was quick to respond and removed Ghosal from all responsibilities after police told them that prima facie he has been found guilty of sexual misconduct. He was formally arrested on Tuesday after being detained on Monday, L. K. Konwar, deputy registar of IIT-Guwahati said over the phone.

“Yes, police has arrested the dean. We have initiated action and removed him from all responsibilities and appointed a new dean this (Tuesday) evening," Konwar said. “It has taken 20 years to build the image of our institution, and an incident like this has dented it severely. An IIT’s image is getting affected. All of us are devastated."

The dean will be suspended after the institution receives the formal notice from the city police, Konwal added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Guwahati city senior superintendent of police A.P. Tiwari told local reporters that Ghosal has been booked under Section 376(2)(b) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The section applies to a public servant who takes advantage of his official position and commits rape on a subordinate woman.

The woman appeared traumatized and stayed away from work since the incident took place 10 days back, said a Hindustan Times report quoting Tiwari.

Konwar of IIT Guwahati said the lady did not inform the institution and had directly reported the matter to the women’s police station, following which the police action took place. The deputy registrar said the institution is cooperating in the investigation and will provide all information to the police.

IIT Guwahati was established in 1994, and its academic programme had started a year later. India at present has 16 IITs.

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