Accused of sexual harassment, TISS assistant professor quits; probe starts

MUMBAI: An assistant professor from

Tata Institute of Social Sciences

(TISS) resigned a day after a student filed a

sexual harassment complaint

against him on Feb 20. She accused him of toxic behaviour on the campus, harassment, and intimidation.
A TISS official said the assistant professor, in his resignation, said he wanted to focus on his research even as the

internal complaints committee

has already started an inquiry into the allegations levelled against him. The professor was a contractual staff member, so there were no formalities he had to fulfil.
TISS, in a separate order, also barred the assistant professor from entering its campuses till the inquiry is on, said the official.
A Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) student has accused an assistant professor of toxic behaviour on the campus, sexual harassment, and intimidation.

The assistant professor resigned a day after the student sent the complaint letter to the internal complaints committee on Feb 20, said a TISS official.
The internal complaints committee has already held one meeting and will soon call both the assistant professor and the complainant for hearings and ask them to submit their proofs, he added.
The committee will carry out the inquiry independent of the fact that he already resigned, said the TISS official. Action will be taken against the professor based on the inquiry report, he added.
On Feb 20, the student sent the complaint letter to the presiding officer of the internal complaints committee. In the letter, the complainant said the assistant professor had an intimidating presence on the campus, alleging regular misconduct with women and administrative mismanagement. She further claimed that he was supportive initially, but later made personal remarks and posed questions like "Are you single?". He continued to make inappropriate remarks towards her and other female students, despite her discomfort in discussing her personal life, alleged the letter. The complainant also alleged that the assistant professor tried to enter her apartment on one occasion and threatened her against speaking up.
Stating that the incidents left her "mental health in shambles" and unable to focus on her education, she sought immediate suspension and strict investigation against the assistant professor, and a high-level inquiry into the alleged toxic environment at TISS caused by him.
She also appealed to the authorities to ensure the safety of female students on the campus and an anonymous

grievance redressal mechanism

where students can report harassment without fear of repercussions. The complainant also sought

mental health support

for victims of harassment and bullying. A complaint letter was also sent to the TISS chancellor.
Mumbai: An assistant professor from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) resigned a day after a student filed a sexual harassment complaint against him on Feb 20. She accused him of toxic behaviour on the campus, harassment, and intimidation.
A TISS official said the assistant professor, in his resignation, said he wanted to focus on his research even as the internal complaints committee has already started an inquiry into the allegations levelled against him. The professor was a contractual staff member, so there were no formalities he had to fulfil.
TISS, in a separate order, also barred the assistant professor from entering its campuses till the inquiry is on, said the official.
A Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) student has accused an assistant professor of toxic behaviour on the campus, sexual harassment, and intimidation.
The assistant professor resigned a day after the student sent the complaint letter to the internal complaints committee on Feb 20, said a TISS official.
The internal complaints committee has already held one meeting and will soon call both the assistant professor and the complainant for hearings and ask them to submit their proofs, he added.
The committee will carry out the inquiry independent of the fact that he already resigned, said the TISS official. Action will be taken against the professor based on the inquiry report, he added.
On Feb 20, the student sent the complaint letter to the presiding officer of the internal complaints committee. In the letter, the complainant said the assistant professor had an intimidating presence on the campus, alleging regular misconduct with women and administrative mismanagement. She further claimed that he was supportive initially, but later made personal remarks and posed questions like "Are you single?". He continued to make inappropriate remarks towards her and other female students, despite her discomfort in discussing her personal life, alleged the letter. The complainant also alleged that the assistant professor tried to enter her apartment on one occasion and threatened her against speaking up.
Stating that the incidents left her "mental health in shambles" and unable to focus on her education, she sought immediate suspension and strict investigation against the assistant professor, and a high-level inquiry into the alleged toxic environment at TISS caused by him.
She also appealed to the authorities to ensure the safety of female students on the campus and an anonymous grievance redressal mechanism where students can report harassment without fear of repercussions. The complainant also sought mental health support for victims of harassment and bullying. A complaint letter was also sent to the TISS chancellor.