Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, May 11: Relating to the decision of Mangalore University to award the punishment of compulsory retirement on its biosciences professor, Prof Tippeswamy, the state High Court, on Tuesday May 10, ordered issuance of notices to the university. Through this notice, the High Court has asked the university to file its objections if any, to the writ petition filed by Prof Tippeswamy, questioning the action taken against him.

Two research scholars working under the above professor had complained to the university registrar about the sexual harassment they had suffered at his hands. On the basis of these complaints, Prof Tippeswamy was suspended from service. The professor had approached High Court through a writ. A single-judge division bench of the High Court had cancelled the suspension order.

After Mangalore University appealed against the order of the single-judge bench, a division bench cancelled the order of the single-judge bench, and directed the university to take steps after conducting an investigation into sexual abuse complaint through a committee of three experts. The university set up this committee, and after the committee filed report holding the professor guilty, awarded the punishment of compulsory retirement on Prof Tippeswamy.

The professor has now sought the High Court’s intervention against his compulsory retirement.