MANDI: The Himachal Pradesh government has suspended the Director-cum-Principal of Hydro Engineering College, Bilaspur, following allegations of sexual harassment levelled by multiple female students.
The action was confirmed on Tuesday by Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, who emphasised the government’s zero-tolerance towards such incidents.
“This kind of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable. The government will take strict action in all such matters,” said Minister Dharmani. He said the decision was based on the findings of an internal inquiry committee.
Multiple allegations, formal investigation initiated
The controversy erupted after several students accused the principal of inappropriate behaviour and sexual misconduct. Acting on the complaint, the Technical Education Department constituted a three-member internal committee on April 21, comprising only female officers, to probe the matter thoroughly.
Over the course of the investigation, the committee recorded testimonies from nearly three dozen female students. In addition, digital evidence, including messages allegedly sent by the accused, was also reviewed. The committee’s findings confirmed that the complaints had merit, prompting immediate disciplinary action by the government.
History of misconduct raises concern
The issue was initially brought to light on April 8 through the state’s Samagra E-Samadhan portal by a former student of Sundernagar Engineering College. The complainant alleged that the current principal had a history of similar misconduct during his tenure at Sundernagar, which had continued after his appointment at Hydro Engineering college.
In light of the recurring allegations, the department swiftly initiated a formal inquiry. The situation gained widespread attention on May 22, when a video and further details of the harassment surfaced on social media, sparking outrage among students.
Campus erupts in protest, principal arrested
That same evening, dozens of students staged a five-hour sit-in protest on the Hydro Engineering college campus, demanding swift justice and the removal of the principal. Later that night, Bilaspur Police registered a case based on the statement of one of the complainants, a student who alleged that she was molested by the principal during hospitalisation last year.
The principal was arrested shortly after the FIR was filed and is currently out on bail. Meanwhile, the Sadar police station has launched a separate criminal investigation into the incident.
Munish Sood
