KU student withdraws rape bid charge against teacher

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, April 18

In a twist to a case of sexual harassment, the complainant has reportedly withdrawn the allegation of an attempt to rape against a senior faculty member of Kurukshetra University.

Assistant professor Dhirender Kaushik from the department of pharmaceutical science was arrested on Tuesday night. Women’s police station SHO Parveen Kaur said the accused was granted bail on Wednesday.

She said the complaint, a research scholar, told the police she had levelled the charge of attempt to rape under the influence of certain persons. “But her complaint of sexual harassment stands with the police. The complaint is being probed,” Parveen Kaur added.

The KU spokesperson said the complainant had given in writing to the university administration that her complaint was an outcome of a “misunderstanding” and she wanted to withdraw it.

But the SHO said the police had not received any communication from the KU or the complainant.

“I read a soft copy of the letter claimed to be written by the complainant to the KU management. Though she has officially withdrawn the allegation against the assistant professor, the police action will proceed as per the complaint and her statements in the court,” the SHO said.

In her police complaint, the student had alleged that as she had scored fewer marks in examinations, the assistant professor had called her in his office for a retest and molested her. She had also alleged that when she resisted his attempts, the teacher threatened her of spoiling her academic career.