Daijiworld Media Network – Mysuru (RJP)

Mysuru, Sep 20: An internal probe conducted by the University of Mysore has found senior professor and in-charge vice-chancellor Prof Dayanand Mane, guilty of sexual harassment charges.
Several female students of the university had alleged that Mane subjected them to sexual harassment.

An internal complaints committee of the university was formed at the behest of the Karnataka State Women’s Commission on January 21, 2016 to probe the charges of sexual harassment against Mane. The committee in its report has recommended to the varsity to withdraw Mane of all powered positions with ‘immediate effect.’

The five-member committee, headed by Prof Asna Urooj, met 17 times before submitting its report to the university recently.

The committee has also made three major recommendations and 23 observations, despite the main victim turning hostile.

The committee has observed that Mane has been acting as a sexual predator, victimising female students, especially those from oppressed sections, North Eastern states and from abroad.
An unopened packet of condom discovered in his office drawer last year, is one of the main incriminating evidences against him, as per the report.

The witnesses from teaching and non-teaching faculty, and students, who deposed before the committee, stated that Mane verbally abused his research scholars in derogatory language.

While a student with disabilities was all the time humiliated, another research scholar alleged that he was forced to divorce his wife because of Mane’s conduct, says the report.

A law student from Bangladesh had accused Mane of molestation and several female students had complained that Mane used to call them over phone and offer them rides in his car, says the report.

Though the report was submitted last month no action has been taken against Mane which has surprised the committee as well as the students and staff of the university.