New Delhi, July 6
St. Stephen's College principal Valson Thampu on Monday said he will resign if he is proved guilty of protecting the accused professor in the case of molestation of a research scholar at Delhi University.

"I will resign, when the time comes and if charges are proved against me," Thampu told IANS over phone.

The research scholar has alleged that Thampu did not institute a fair probe in to the matter on time and dissuaded her from filing the complaint with the college authorities against her guide who allegedly sexually abused her.

The victim has been demanding the resignation of Thampu for protecting the accused professor, Satish Kumar. She also said for the probe to be fair and if she has to get justice, Thampu will have to resign.

Many students staged a protest outside the college on Monday, demanding Thampu's resignation.

The Ph.D. scholar at St. Stephen's has accused her guide of sexually molesting her during the research work.

Molestation case: Students demand St. Stephen's principal's resignation

Scores of students on Monday protested outside the St. Stephen's College here demanding an external inquiry into the alleged molestation of a research scholar from the college and immediate resignation of the college principal.

"An external inquiry should be conducted into the role of the principal. He should be made to resign immediately," Devansh Mehta, a protestor, told IANS.

They also demanded action against professor Satish Kumar, who is accused of molesting the research scholar.

"The student should be allowed to complete her PhD on time. Also, the supervisor should be re-assigned," another protestor said adding that a letter was sent to Delhi University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Singh and the head of department of chemistry in this regard.

Alleging that Thampu tried to dissuade the student from filing the case, the protestors said previous cases of sexual harassment in the college were also not addressed properly.

"Thampu tried to dissuade her from filing a case. He tried to resolve things between them internally, which was wrong," Mehta said.

The students alleged that the college administration was more concerned about the reputation of the institute, rather than providing justice to the victims.

The protesting students said they would be taking their demands to the human resource development ministry and women and child ministry as well.