Bihar govt wants ‘molester’ VC sacked

The Bihar government on Thursday recommended the removal of the acting vice-chancellor of Chapra’s JP University, who allegedly tried to molest a Bhojpuri singer in Gaya district a week ago.

The Bihar government on Thursday recommended the removal of the acting vice-chancellor of Chapra’s JP University, who allegedly tried to molest a Bhojpuri singer in Gaya district a week ago.

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The state legislative council admitted a privilege notice against Dinesh Prasad Singh on the unanimous demand of lawmakers from the ruling coalition as well as the opposition.

Bhojpuri singer Devi had on February 20 lodged a written complaint that Singh, while drunk, had misbehaved and tried to molest her during a cultural programme at the Sambodhi Resort in Bodhgaya, around 130 km from here, two days earlier.

The police registered a first information report and preliminary investigation found the charges were true.

“We are trying to procure visuals of the programme. We will issue an arrest warrant against him,” said Gaya senior superintendent of police Vinay Kumar.

The BJP’s Janak Singh raised the issue in the legislative assembly, questioning how the vice-chancellor was moving freely despite facing serious charges.

In the legislative council, Neeraj Kumar of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) raised the issue and was supported by the members of his ruling party as well as the opposition.

They also protested the suspension of Devi’s father, Pramod Kumar, a teacher in Chapra’s Rajendra College, which is affiliated to the JP University.

“The suspension order was issued after the matter was raised in the House, which needs to protect the victim. The vice-chancellor has resorted to unconstitutional action. Proceedings should be initiated against him. He should be summoned here and punished,” Neeraj Kumar said.

Devi has alleged her father’s suspension was an act of vendetta to pressurise her and deflect attention from the charges against Singh.

Meanwhile, Singh has proceeded on a two-day leave “for personal reasons”. He was not available for comments, despite repeated attempts to contact him.