Hyderabad: A scientist of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) was arrested by the Osmania University police on Saturday on charges of sexually harassing a girl student.

Fifty-eight-year-old K Bhaskarachary, a resident of Bagh Lingampally, was a Grade E scientist and a PhD supervisor as well at the institute. He was accused of forwarding vulgar messages to the student on WhatsApp.

Annoyed with his messages, the student, hailing from West Bengal, gave a written complaint to NIN Director Dr. R. Hemalatha on May 10 after which a high-powered committee was constituted to probe the matter. Later, Bhaskarachary was placed under suspension.

Based on a complaint received on May 18, the police booked a case under Sections 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354a (Sexual harassment) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the scientist and arrested him.

“We summoned him to the police station in connection with the case. After establishing his involvement in the crime, we arrested him,” said Osmania University Sub-Inspector A. Narsing Rao. The mobile phones of the scientist and student were also seized for further investigation.

According to the police, the student was pursuing her Masters in Science (Applied Nutrition) at NIN. After completion of PhD, every student needs to undergo training for over four months under the supervision of scientists in the institute. Accordingly, the girl student was undergoing training under the supervision of Bhaskarachary.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2018/jun/03/nin-scientist-held-for-sexually-harassing-student-1823056.html