Assam university sexual harassment cases: Sudipto Sarkar, Nirakar Mallik suspended

The head of the department of agricultural engineering, Assam University, Sudipto Sarkar was suspended on Monday in connection with a case of sexual harassment.

A fourth-semester M.Tech student of the department had filed a complaint with the university authority on July 16 accusing Sarkar of sexually harassing her. The university students’ union gheraoed the registrar Sanjib Bhattacharjee and vice-chancellor (in-charge) D.K. Pandya on July 26 after which Sarkar was relieved of his post.

The students’ union members led by its president Milon Das converged in front of the university gate around 9:30am on Monday morning and staged a protest demanding Sarkar’s suspension.

When no one from the authority contacted them or took any decision regarding their demand till around 11:45 am, the union members went to the vice-chancellor’s office and approached him.

Eventually, the decision of suspending Sarkar was taken by the authority.

Besides, Nirakar Mallik of the department of sociology, was also suspended for similar charges against him. A research scholar had in 2016 filed a complaint accusing Mallik of sexually harassing her. The matter was investigated, but a decision was yet to be taken.

Vice-chancellor Dilip Chandra Nath confirmed that both Sarkar and Mallik had been suspended.

Students’ union president Milon Das demanded a judicial probe into the case. All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students’ Association (ACKHSA) adviser Rupam Nandi Purkayastha, who was present during the protest, echoed Das and said the matter should be investigated properly and stern action be taken against the guilty. He threatened of severe protests if their demand is not fulfilled soon.

Association members including Saidur Rahman, Ripon Laskar, Sunny Hajam and Sukumal Das, were also present.