St Stephen's principal Valson Thampu landed in fresh trouble on Saturday for his Facebook posts where he said the sexual harassment complaint against one of his chemistry professors was a "diabolic lie".

He also wrote in a series of posts on FB that "an 85 per cent disabled man, who cannot stand up on his own and needs a stick to move, could (not) sexually assault a girl".

DCW Chief Maliwal showcaused him on Saturday for publicly commenting on a "subjudice matter", and over "how (he) exonerates (the accused) from allegations of having perpetrated the act only on the basis of his disability (only)".

Victim's allegations

The college has been in the eye of a storm since the PhD girl student approached police in July 2015, alleging she was molested by her thesis guide. She also went on to accuse Prof. Thampu of "shielding" the assistant professor when the matter was reported to him and asking her to "not report it to the police".

On Tuesday, Thampu wrote a Facebook post attacking a "putative teacher", who allegedly "egged her (the complainant) on". Thampu wrote, "?I curse? I curse you for ruining a young life, for crushing an academic bud? for the unspeakable agony and humiliation you heaped on an innocent, crippled colleague? The diabolic lie that an 85 per cent disabled man, who cannot stand up on his own and needs a stick to move, could "sexually assault" a girl, could have been hatched only in your perverse brain?"

Previously also, he chose to vent his views on social media which, Maliwal termed as "personal vendetta" and "handling such a sensitive issue in a frivolous manner". In her showcause notice, she said, "This is in reference to the proceedings of the Delhi Commission for Women on the sexual harassment complaint filed by Ms 'X' (the complainant). At present, due to the alleged sexual harassment case, Ms. X is not being able to complete her research?Her guide (the accused, 'Mr Y') has not been changed till date."

"She has requested for assistance in completion of her PhD and has sought access to the compounds and other research she has contributed to the project which is not being made available to her." She also underlined, "The University Grants Commission had deputed a senior officer to investigate this particular case and in its report, several glaring anomalies have been highlighted."

Glaring anomalies

Some of the anomalies are: "The Internal Complaints Committee of St. Stephen's College did not complete the enquiry into the complaint of Ms. X within the stipulated time of 90 days as per the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act, 2013". Also, "The complainant was not provided any relief as per the said Act." "Copies of the records of the case were not provided to UGC despite reminders."

Maliwal also pointed out, "I have been informed that you have written several posts on your Facebook account regarding this particular sexual harassment case wherein you seem to be taunting the complainant. In one post, you had stated that, 'Had the girl approached you directly for relief, you would have helped her'. It is shocking that despite the sexual harassment case pending before the court of law, you have in complete abuse of your authority passed comments and provided a clean chit to the accused professor."

Also read: St Stephen's can withstand 1000 controversies: Valson Thampu

Also read: I am Dawood Ibrahim, says St Stephen's principal Valson Thampu

