It has been exactly two weeks since MCC's Internal Complaints Committee conducted its enquiry into the sexual harassment allegation against Zoology professor R Raveen. However, the Madras Christian College administration is yet to come out with a final decision regarding the case.
After allegations were made by several students from the Zoology department in Madras Christian College, the administration had decided to constitute the ICC. On April 9, the ICC comprising of the Dean of Women Students, Vijayakumari Joseph, a professor from the Chemistry department, a professor from one of the women's hostels, a doctor and a lawyer conducted the enquiry. After the enquiry, some students believed that the decision would be in their favour. They were told that the final report would be submitted to the administration on April 19.
However, when the students approached the administration on April 19, they were told that the administration would require more time to come to a decision. The students said that they had also spoken to the Dean of Women Students who was also on the ICC panel, "She told us that by the end of the week, the administration would come up with a decision and asked us to be patient," one of the students said.
Since they have been assured that action will be taken by the end of the week, the students have decided to wait. "If the administration doesn't take appropriate action by the end of the week, then we should figure out other ways to put more pressure on them," the student said.
Last month, students came out with allegations against their professor in the Zoology department. According to the students, the professor had sexually harassed them during their class trip. After the allegations surfaced, some alumni also came out with similar allegations against the same professor. The principal was not available for comment.
