Being chased like an animal: Thampu on Stephens molestation row

St Stephens principal Valson Thampu said on Tuesday that he was being chased like an "animal" in the PhD student's molestation row, amid growing demands of his resignation. He also appealed to all concerned "elements" to avoid character assasination as the matter is in sub-judice.

St Stephens principal Valson Thampu said on Tuesday that he was being chased like an "animal" in the PhD student's molestation row, amid growing demands of his resignation. He also appealed to all concerned "elements" to avoid character assasination as the matter is in sub-judice.

Police-have-also-registered-an-FIR-against-the-chemistry-professor-on-June-19-for-sexual-assault-and-harassment-In-her-complaint-the-student-also-accused-principal-Valson-Thampu-of-trying-to-hush-up-the-matter-and-intimidate-her-into-withdrawing-her-complaint-File-Photo

Meanwhile, social activist Swami Agnivesh and members of Delhi Minorities Association came out in Thampu's support and said a "mala fide campaign" is running against him and efforts are being made to influence the course of law.

Claiming that he is being chased as an "animal", Thampu maintained that his lawyer and former judge Manmohan Sarin had told him long before that attempts were being made to trap him in this case and he should report the matter to Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

He has been claiming that the research scholar who was allegedly molested by an assistant professor, was being used against him and was "coached to do a sting on him" by the "handlers" of the controversy.

Though the principal referred to the Old Stephanians Association, an alumni group which is not recognised by the college, as one of the elements who are targetting him, he did not reveal the names of others saying "the obvious need not be stated".

"I have done my best in the capacity of a principal... but at the end of the day I am a human. I have a wife and two daughters who also live in the society. Since the matter is sub-judice I appeal all the elements concerned that this constant character assassination of me as well as the college should be avoided," he said during a press conference.

Thampu also claimed that he is being dragged into the row which was supposed to be between the complainant and the accused but the principal has become the "principal offender" in the case.

Reiterating his demand for a CBI enquiry into the issue, he said that, "I want a comprehensive, unprejudiced enquiry to be conducted and the truth to be revealed. I also welcome the HRD ministry and UGC for their intervention into the proceedings of ICC."