KMC principal suspended, vows to move high court

A fresh battle broke out between Delhi University (DU) officials and Bhim Sen Singh, principal of Kirori Mal College, on Wednesday.

A fresh battle broke out between Delhi University (DU) officials and Bhim Sen Singh, principal of Kirori Mal College, on Wednesday.

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Just a day after Singh conducted a press conference alleging that the newly appointed governing body chairman for the college, Baleshwar Rai, had been charged with criminal offences, senior officials in DU took umbrage at this and the university suspended the principal on Wednesday.

"We will press charges against the principal for unfairly conducting a public meeting and casting aspersions on such a senior person. Baleshwar Rai has an unblemished career and principal Bhimsen Singh has made allegations against him without even bothering to bring the matter to our notice," said Sudhish Pachauri, dean of colleges, DU.

Singh had alleged that Baleshwar Rai, who was appointed the governing body chairman by the university, had been accused of sexual harassment and "misappropriation of public land". He said there were criminal cases pending against him.

The university, however, countered every allegation, stating that Rai was being unfairly accused by the Kirori Mal College principal and, instead of seeking counsel from the university, he had made gone public with the matter.

While the university has suspended the principal for now, the latter has decided to move court to challenge the decision. SC Gupta, the college's vice-principal, is now the acting principal.

"I was suspended this morning. But I will not tolerate this silently. I will take this matter to the high court and challenge it. I have documents which prove that Baleshwar Rai has cases pending against him and he is not fit to be the chairman of the governing body," said Singh.