College Principal in Assam arrested on alleged charge of sexual harassment

April 13: A college Principal in Assam was arrested on Wednesday by the police on charges of alleged sexual harassment. He was identified as Dr. Surajit Kumar Bhagavati, Principal of Anandaram Dhekiyal Phukan College (ADP College) in Nagaon. He was arrested on the basis of complaints lodged by two female teachers of ADP College, Nagaon.

It is in this connection that a case under IPC sections 354A, 376, 511 was lodged at Nagaon Police Station on the basis of the complaint lodged by the two teachers. As per reports, the College Principal was supposedly hiding in Guwahati since a few days.

It needs mention here that the Director of Higher Education (DHE) has earlier put Dr. Surajit Kumar Bhagavati, Principal of ADP College under suspension. In the order, DHE Assam stated, “Pending drawal of Departmental Proceeding and on the basis of Complain petition submitted by Dr Mousmi Saikia, Asst Professor, Department of Herbal Science & Technology and Monika Biswas, Asst Professor, Department of B.Voc of ADP college, Nagaon, Dr Surajit Kumar Bhagowati, Principal of ADP College, Nagaon, is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, the incident has become a talk of the town particularly in Nagaon. The accused Principal has ofcourse denied all charges and stated that he ‘has been framed.’

Anandaram Dhekial Phookan College is an undergraduate and postgraduate college established in the year 1959 at South Haibargaon of Nagaon district in Assam. The college is affiliated to Gauhati University.