Mangalore: An alumnus of Mangalore University, Konaje has alleged that she was sexually harassed by an assistant professor of the commerce department, on the promise of marrying her.
The 35-year old Devika P. (name changed) of Bantwal on Tuesday said Dr. Vedhav P., assistant professor, Department of Commerce, sexually used her, on the premise of marrying her. Both of them belong to the Scheduled Caste (ST) community.
In a complaint letter to the Mangalore Commissioner of police and to the vice-chancellor, Mangalore University, Devika said she came to know Dr. Vedhav, after she joined the University in 2013. Gradually, the relationship became intimate.” One day, he expressed desire to come to my house and talk to my family. I took him to Kaikunje, where I was living in a rented house. My mother too had lot of respect for him”, the letter stated.
The complaint further states that Dr. Vedhav who came to her house on June 2, 2013, on seeing her alone in the house, raped her. “He started talking about physical affairs and when I did not entertain the topic, he went on to rape me. I decided to complain to the police. But, he stopped me, and promised to marry. Hence, I did not file the complaint, nor told my mother about it”, she says in the letter.
The letter continues saying, “Dr. Vedhav sexually used me for the second time, after he convinced my mother and me. We shared the same bed in my house and my mother is aware of it”, it alleges.
Devika said whenever she spoke about the marriage, he kept postponing it. “Lately, he refused to marry me citing reason that his parents were not accepting it. Everyone in our family and neighborhood knows about our relationship, and if he does not marry me, my future is at stake”, she says.
Therefore, the letter states, “when he resisted, I decided to go to the quarters of Dr. Vedhav, who stays in the premises of Mangalore University. That day, he sent me back promising again that he would marry. But, later he refused to do so, and now I am approaching the police”.
Besides, Devika has decided to stage demonstration right in front of the management block of the University on Tuesday, seeking justice.
Dr. Vedhav reacts
When asked, Dr. Vedhav, dismissed allegations of sexually using her. He said, “we know each other through a common friend Dr. Govindraju. I had expressed desire to marry her, but later her behavior did not suit me. But, I never used her for sexual gains”.
“I have messages sent by Devika, who wanted me to use her sexually, but I did oblige. Hence, the allegation of rape and blackmail is false. I am taking the legal help”, he said.
