University warden suspended for sexually harassing student in Maha

MUMBAI:The Rachna Zaveri, hostel superintendent ...has been suspended with effect from October 1 SNDTWU follows zerotolerance policy against any form of discrimination

SHASHIKALA WANJARI, V-C

Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University (SNDTWU) on Tuesday suspended a hostel warden accused for the alleged sexual harassment of a student on Sunday.

Following the incident, a first information report (FIR) was launched against the warden on Sunday night .

The university on Tuesday asked the warden to go on an indefinite leave and restrained her from entering the college Statement issue by university

campus. It also constituted a three-member committee to conduct an investigation.

“Rachna Zaveri, hostel superintendent of the Juhu campus has been suspended with effect from October 15,” said a statement released by the university on Tuesday evening.

“SNDTWU follows zero-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination,” said Shashikala Wanjari, vice-chancellor of the university.

According to the complainant, on Sunday, the warden reprimanded her for wearing a sleeveless dress. The warden said it did not fit the hostel dress code.

The complainant said she had developed a skin allergy, owing to which, her doctor recommended her to wear loose clothes. The warden, however, did not buy her clarification and made her strip in front of everyone.

A group of students then took the matter to the authorities and a protest march was held outside the university’s Juhu campus, demanding action against the warden for ‘outraging the modesty of a woman’.

Meanwhile, the police have called the warden for questioning.