Government Arts college teacher suspended over sexual harassment complaint

A 19-year-old girl student had lodged a police complaint about alleged physical advances by the teacher in March this year. During the investigation, it was also found that he had sent lewd messages to some girl students. 

A 42-year-old faculty member of the Government Arts College, Coimbatore has been suspended by the director of collegiate education who was arrested on charges of misbehaving with girl students. 

The suspension order was issued by the Director of collegiate education C Poornachandran on Saturday night, the principal of the college, V Kalaiselvi told TOI. As per the order, the director has cited the ongoing investigation that is been conducted by the C - 2 police station at Race Course against accused teacher P N Ragunathan. As he was arrested by police, it is necessary to place him under suspension in the public interest, the letter said.

On Friday, a 19-year-old girl student had lodged a police complaint about alleged physical advances by the teacher in March this year. During the investigation, it was also found that he had sent lewd messages to some girl students. Based on the preliminary investigation, police has booked him under four different sections and arrested him on Friday.

In order to avoid any such incidents in the future, the college has directed teachers to avoid meeting students in person. They have also been asked to avoid calling or messaging students. The college administration has decided to reimpose a dress code. Students should avoid coming to college wearing jeans, leggings and tight-fitting clothes.

The college has also asked the teachers to convey the first-year students regarding the new directives as they will attend offline classes from Monday. 

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