Delhi College Principal Suspended After Sexual Harassment Complaint

Professor Rasal Singh has been relieved of his duties as Principal of Ramanujan College following sexual harassment allegations

New Delhi:

The University of Delhi has suspended the principal of Ramanujan College after allegations of harassment from a faculty member. Professor Rasal Singh, who was removed from his position, claims the complaint was filed in retaliation after he declined to approve the faculty member's promotion application due to incomplete documentation.

When contacted by NDTV, University of Delhi Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh confirmed that he had approved the investigation panel's recommendation to suspend Professor Singh. "I have accepted the governing body's recommendation as this matter concerns the safety of our daughters," the Vice-Chancellor stated. He declined to elaborate on the specific grounds for the suspension.

The allegations were initially examined by a fact-finding committee before being reviewed by a three-member governing body.

In response to his suspension, Professor Singh has submitted a letter to the Prime Minister's Office Grievance Cell, asserting that the accusations against him are "false" and "retaliatory" in nature.

According to Professor Singh, the complaint was filed immediately after the college's Internal Quality Assurance Cell rejected the faculty member's promotion application due to documentation issues. "The timing clearly demonstrates the retaliatory and afterthought nature of the complaint," Professor Singh stated. "Following this, I faced unethical pressure from various quarters to approve her promotion, with threats of sexual harassment allegations if I refused," he added.

Professor Singh has also claimed that proper investigative procedures were not followed and has accused members of the probe panel of acting against him due to their own aspirations for the Principal position.

"They are attempting to transform what is fundamentally a promotion-related matter into sexual harassment allegations as part of a conspiracy," he asserted.

"These unfounded accusations have caused significant professional damage and personal distress, damaging my hard-earned reputation as a first-generation academic from a rural background who has advanced solely through merit and dedication," Professor Singh concluded.