A case has been registered against two professors of IIT Roorkee whose names have come up in the sexual harassment case filed by a research scholar of the institute. Police informed that the case has been registered after the special investigation team, formed to probe the allegation, submitted its report to the SSP Haridwar. Meanwhile, two Bhim Army leaders were arrested by the police while they were heading towards the IIT on its pre-announced gherao programme on Thursday. Heavy police force was deployed outside IIT premises to maintain law and order in view of the stir.
Following the complaint of the research scholar and the subsequent submission of the investigation report by the three- member SIT, the case had been registered at Roorkee police station, a senior police officer said.
Police said that they had arrested the leader of the state Bhim Army in-charge Mehek Singh and its district president Pramod Mahajan near Solani Park after they headed for the institute to demonstrate. The arrests of the leaders led to unruly scenes as the other activists of the outfit vented their anger.
Speaking to The Pioneer on Thursday’s developments, the police station in-charge Civil Lines Roorkee Amarjeet Singh said that they were probing the matter. “Two leaders of Bhim Army have been arrested. They are being questioned now. They would be presented before the city magistrate on Friday.”
Tension erupted as hundreds of Bhim Army activists and supporters gathered outside the IIT on Thursday. One supporter of the outfit said that the arrest of some leaders would not help things. “We are determined to continue with the stir till justice is meted out to the research scholar regarding her sexual harassment allegations,” he said. He further said that the police are trying to tyrannise over them. “But we would not give in,” he added. Meanwhile, the research scholar alleged that no action had been taken till date against the director IIT Roorkee and those in the management who are safeguarding the faculty members now facing the case.
The stir being spearheaded by Bhim Army on the matter has received boost after the People’s Party of India and Mool Niwasi Sangh have thrown their weight behind the scholar who is fighting for justice. Both the organisations have submitted a memorandum to the President through the office of the district magistrate Haridwar, demanding arrest of the accused professor under SC /ST Act. They demanded the accused be sacked and it be ensured that such caste torture does not repeat. They also warned of a full-blown agitation across the state if no action is taken against the accused.