SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 25: The Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) Dhanbad administration has finally begun a probe into the SSLNT Women’s College lady teacher’s suicide attempt after 20 days of the incident.
A four-member probe committee under Proctor Dr Sudhinta Sinha interrogated the victim teacher, Dr Beena Sharma, SSLNT College principal Dr Sharmila Rani and members of different faculty and staff of the institution about the incident.
RSP College principal Dr JN Singh (dean of science), Gurunanak College principal Dr Sanjay Prasad and Degree College Jamadoba principal Dr RP Singh (finance officer) are other members of the probe committee.
On August 5, a guest lecturer of the history department Dr Beena Sharma tried to commit suicide in the department chamber of college by hanging with a ceiling fan. Teachers and staff took the notice timely and rescued her after breaking the door.
Getting information, university authorities and officers of Dhanbad Sadar police station reached the college and took details of the incident from the victim teacher and principal. Sources said Dr Beena Sharma alleged that due to frequent torture by the principal, she tried to finish herself.
Rattled by the incident, BBMKU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Sukhdeo Bhoi set up a four-member committee under Proctor Dr Sudhinta Sinha on August 19.
Though the committee members were tight-lipped over the probe, the internal sources said that Dr Beena Sharma again held the principal’s torture responsible for her drastic step (suicide attempt).
The probe committee also took the statement of principal Dr Sharmila Rani over the allegation of victim guest lecturer. The probe committee members also recorded statements of faculty members and staff of the college about the behaviour of the principal with them. The committee would submit a report to the VC.
Notably, Vice-Chancellor Sukhdeo Bhoi and SSLNT Women’s College principal Dr Sharmila Rani have been at loggerheads since July 6. The VC transferred Dr Sharmila as principal to BSK College Maithon ( 40 km away from district headquarters) from SSLNT Women’s College, Dhanbad.
Dr Sharmila Rani, who is the lone commission-appointed (2017) principal in BBMKU refused to accept the transfer order of the VC and got it stayed from Raj Bhawan Ranchi.
However, two other transferred principals Dr Kavita Singh (PK Roy Memorial College) and Dr Sarita Srivastava ( Degree College Gomia, Bokaro) joined at their transferred place.
