Patna:Police are positive that the Patna Women’s College teacher accused of sexual harassment would be arrested.
The teacher, who was dismissed from service on Monday on the recommendation of two college committees inquiring into the harassment charge, has been incommunicado since.
His cell phone remained switched off throughout the day on Wednesday. The Telegraph is withholding the name of the teacher because no complaint has been lodged against him by any student or the college.
Protests led by the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), backed by several Patna Women’s College students, erupted on Wednesday morning, prompting the police to swing into action.The police lodged a suo motu case against the teacher for want of any official complaint from either the students or the college administration.
The teacher has been booked under Sections 354 and 354(d). He was yet to be arrested till late on Wednesday night.
The IPC sections pertain to assault, use of criminal force against a woman to outrage her modesty and stalking.
“He is not going anywhere and even if he does he will be nabbed. The police have lodged an FIR suo motu based on the reports we received. We had a detailed chat with the college administration on Wednesday and they have promised full support,” Patna senior superintendent of police Vikas Vaibhav said.
He added that no complaint had been filed in the case so far and that “the victim or victims are not coming to the forefront”.
“We have decided that detailed statements of the victims would be taken at the college on Friday. Prima facie the allegations seem to be of very serious nature. The college administration will also hold an open-house session with the students on Friday and listen to their grievances for redressal. We would provide all support for the safety of the students and for the smooth functioning of the college,” the SSP said.
Around 11.30am, several AISF protesters assembled in front of the college gate and started sloganeering. The students of the college joined the AISF members in the protest against the college administration. The college, sensing trouble, immediately locked the main gate.
“We raised our voices for the victims and we would get justice. No one from the college management is ready to speak on the matter and even the students have been threatened to remain quiet. The college must allow students to carry mobile phones so that they can inform their parents during emergencies,” state AISF secretary Sushil Kumar said.
The protest was joined by the mother of one of the students allegedly harassed by the teacher. “I want justice for my daughter and the other girls who were harassed by the teacher. The incident was informed to the college administration on September 2 but the teacher wasn’t dismissed. Two weeks have gone by but the college did not take any action against the teacher. My daughter was victimised for raising her voice against the accused,” the mother said.
“I did not use such words, which were mentioned in the WhatsApp message. On September 2, the girls of the bachelor of mass communications department walked out of the class. Walking out of class is indiscipline. I asked them to write an apology letter. I spoke to them regarding the sexual harassment case and some parents also came to my office with the complaint. I assured them proper investigation,” Jessie said.