Mangalore: The students of St Raymond’s College at Vamanjoor held a protest on Tuesday July 22 after the alleged  sexual harassment  of a  student by a teacher was exposed on Monday July 21.

Harish Acharya, a Kannada lecturer at the college has been accused of sexually harassing a PU student over the last one year. However the college has been shielding the accused lecturer.

DCP (crime) Dr K V Jagadish, inspector Raghav Padil, Dharmendra, Pawan Nejjur and some of the other officials discussed issues concerned with the school management.

Addressing the media after the discussion, Principal of the college Sr Cecilia D’Souza said that Harish was a strict teacher that was not liked by some of the students. Moreover he was working with the institute for the past 12 years and there has been no complaint against him.

The girl who has made the allegation is a second PU student and has issues with the other students and teachers, she said.

“Moreover the girl never brought the alleged sexual harassment to the notice of the management. We came to know about it only yesterday after the complaint was lodged,” the Principal said.

The Principal who did not reveal much details said all the required information will be given to the police.

“We will set up a committee to probe the charges levelled by the student. We will take appropriate action if the accused is found guilty,” she assured.

Sr Mariette, Corporate Manager of Bethany Institutions of Mangalore and Udupi and other school staff defended the accused Harish. Although the student seemed reluctant, a few supported the lecture and a  few who took up a protest supported their fellow student.