Woman Prof on indefinite dharna at central varsity

Dr Monika, a former Dean and Head, Department of Law at Central University of Haryana (CUH), has been staging an indefinite dharna on the university campus for the past eight days.

She claimed that a theft was committed at her room which was allotted to her at the Department of Law in the university on October 2. She also levelled allegations of mental harassment on the university authorities.

Dr Monika was replaced by an associate professor of the Law Department as Head and Dean in July after the High Court had stayed two appointments, including her, on the posts of associate professor and ordered that they shall not be paid any emolument or pay till further orders.

“I got appointed as Associate professor in 2019 and was later promoted as Professor. I have been on indefinite dharna since October 17 after informing the CUH authorities and the Union Ministry of Education in this respect. It’s true that my appointment has been stayed by the Court till further orders, but it doesn't mean that I am no longer an employee of the university as the matter is still subjudice and the final verdict is yet to come. The authorities are harassing me mentally on various pretexts,” said Dr Monika.

The protesting teacher alleged her room’s lock was broken and her personal belongings were stolen from there on behest of the authorities. “I have filed a police complaint in this respect but no action has been taken so far in this respect,” she added.

Yudhvir Singh, SHO, Sadar Police Station, Mahendragarh, said the case was under investigation and the complainant teacher had been asked to submit a proof that the room was allotted to her by the university authorities.

“The CUH authorities have submitted a written statement that the room was never allotted to Dr Monika. It had been locked since July 31. Furniture and other items were shifted to another room on October 2. The authorities have provided CCTV footage of the shifting action,” said the SHO, adding that further action would be taken on getting required documents from Dr Monika.

Refuting all allegations of the complainant, Prof Suneel Kumar, Registrar, CUH, told The Tribune that the matter regarding the appointment of Dr Monkia was subjudice, hence he cannot comment. He also denied any theft incident in the Department of law.