Police send Maharani ‘tormentor’ packing

‘Illegal’ canteen owner has been harassing students, teachers & the principal

A man, who has been running an illegal canteen at Maharani College — he even challenged the authorities when questioned — was finally evicted, along with his family, on Saturday.

According to college authorities, the man, identified as Naveen Kumar, has refused to vacate the premises despite multiple directives.

Quite audaciously, Naveen started harassing teachers, students and even the principal. He even made his family stay on the campus, much to the chagrin of the college management. According to college authorities, he claimed himself to be an RTI activist.

Over 50 complaints from students and the principal were submitted to the Karnataka State Commission for Women. Last month, the commission chairperson visited the campus, along with the city police, to take stock of the situation.

Finally, on Saturday, with the help of High Grounds Police, the family was evicted from the campus.

Renuka, principal (in-charge)of Maharani College, told BM, “We have been complaining, but nothing happened. Later, the Women’s Commission and the police visited the campus and they realised our plight. Students also narrated how they had been tortured every day. Later, then I met Higher Education Minister GT Devegowda and apprised him of the issue. The minister then spoke to the city police commissioner and that’s how things fell in place. High Grounds police officials evicted him and his family on Saturday.”

A student told BM, “He used to rag us and bombard us with even personal questions. It has been a nightmare. He would barge into even the principal’s chamber. He had not been seen on the campus for the last few days, but his family was here. Now even they are made to vacate. So how will the college handle the canteen facility now? The principal said, “We may ask the state government to provide some facility. We are also asking if ISKCON can provide a canteen. We are in the process of finding a new person.”


What the ‘accused’ said

Naveen Kumar earlier told BM: “I am being harassed because I filed a police complaint against an accountant in the college. I have also got correspondence documents through RTI regarding the renewal of a photocopy shop which has been running beyond intended period.” Asked about the canteen, he said, “I am taking care of it. There has been no tender for the canteen, but other canteens are also being run without any tender.”