Speaking to The Hindu during a conference here on Monday organised by the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), she said that the High Court appointed committee was necessary to ensure at least transparency and neutrality in the enquiry. The leak of the audiotape, in which P. Nirmala Devi, an Assistant Professor with Devanga Arts College in Virudhunagar district, allegedly attempting to ‘lure’ four girl students into doing sexual favours at the behest of ‘senior officials’ from MKU, kicked up a controversy. With Ms. Nirmala Devi mentioning even the Governor’s office in the conversation, many Opposition parties have objected to the Governor constituting a one-man committee to enquire into the issue. “Since the Governor has been mentioned, it is important that the Governor’s office stays out of the enquiry process,” Ms. Agnes said. “Moreover, in this case, there is ambiguity in the law also about whether the ICC in MKU can enquire into the issue because of the alleged involvement of senior officials in the issue or it should be done by the Local Complaints Committee functioning under the District Collector,” she added.

Source: The Hindu April 24, 2018 03:14 UTC