SU prof found guilty of sexual harassment

Rajkot: The Saurashtra University (SU) on Monday terminated services of a professor Nilesh Panchal (45) of the department of biosciences after a single-member committee found him guilty of sexually harassing a 26-year-old female PhD student last year. This is the first instance of a senior professor with over 20 years of service being sacked over sexual harassment charges at SU
The single-member probe committee comprising of retired judge Dinesh Trivedi had submitted its report to the university in February this year. It was placed before the SU syndicate for appropriate action on Monday. The syndicate decided to terminate Panchal’s services. He is already under suspension since September 2018.
The university’s pro VC Vijay Desani told TOI, “The committee in its 240-page report submitted that the allegations of the female student were found to be true. The report, with details of probe, was placed before the syndicate which accepted it and decided to terminate Panchal’s services. We want to send a message to others that SU has zero-tolerance for such kind of behaviour,” adding, “The student (victim) has been provided with new female guide. We will ensure that she completes her doctorate without any problems.”
The victim had filed a complaint with the varsity’s sexual harassment committee on August 30 last year alleging that Panchal used to call her and make sexual advances at her. She said when she stopped going to his chamber, the professor threatened to sabotage her doctorate thesis. The case was referred to the sexual harassment committee of SU, which found Panchal guilty and based on that he was suspended on September 14. The probe was handed over to an independent committee according to the rules so that action can be taken.
The first complainant, another past student, who left SU without completing her studies deposed before the panel and narrated how she was allegedly sexual harassed by Panchal.
Judge (retired) Dinesh Trivedi told TOI, “The accused (Panchal) initially denied all allegations but when I asked him to prove it by cross-examining with witnesses and victim he didn’t cooperate.” The committee examined four witnesses apart from the complainant.
When contacted, the victim said, “I am satisfied with SU’s action. My thesis is about to be submitted and I hope there is no prejudice against me for taking action against one of the professors.”