Charges of sexual harassment false: Dimhans

Dharwad: The inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment against Dr Suresh Arkera of Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Dimhans) by research student Hemalata N has proved that the allegations are false, according to a release issued by the institute on Wednesday.
The release said following allegations of sexual harassment by the research student, Dimhans conducted an internal inquiry. “During the inquiry, those working in Covid-19 testing lab at Dimhans were questioned, and it was proved that the charges were baseless and mala fide. The complainant could not provide any evidence to support her charges. Hence, it is concluded that there is no truth in the allegations made against Dr Suresh Arkera,” the release said.
A research student, who was deployed at the lab in the first week of May, had made allegations that a professor deputed there had sexually harassed her. She had also complained to the vice-chancellor of Karnatak University, as the accused is its employee and was on deputation to Dimhans.