Agra Professor Granted Voluntary Retirement After Acquittal in 'Lachar Beti' Sexual Harassment Case
In a significant development in Agra, a government-funded college has granted voluntary retirement (VRS) to professor Rajneesh Kumar, 59, weeks after a Hathras court acquitted him in the notorious "Lachar Beti" sexual harassment case. The college management has also barred him from entering the campus premises, officials confirmed on Sunday.
College Management Takes Decisive Action
Vaidya Gopal Sharan Garg, chairman of the college management committee, told media that the professor's actions had severely tarnished the institution's reputation. "Despite the court's acquittal, we cannot overlook the damage done to our college's image," Garg stated, explaining the decision to offer voluntary retirement and restrict campus access.
The case had sparked widespread outrage after an anonymous complaint titled "Lachar Beti" (helpless daughter) was filed with the chairperson of the National Commission for Women. The complaint included photographs and videos allegedly showing Kumar behaving inappropriately with female students at the institution, which has approximately six thousand students.
Legal Background and Acquittal
Kumar was arrested in March last year after initially going into hiding. He faced serious charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 64(2) - Rape
- Section 68 - Sexual intercourse by a person in authority
- Section 75 - Sexual harassment
Additionally, provisions of the Information Technology Act were invoked in the case. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Hathras Gate police station based on a complaint filed by sub-inspector Sunil Kumar.
The turning point came when three women who had initially presented themselves as victims retracted their statements during court proceedings. This development led the Hathras court to acquit Professor Kumar of all charges after thorough examination of the evidence and testimonies.
Professor's Background and Current Status
Rajneesh Kumar had served in the geography department of the government-funded institution for over two decades, establishing a long career in academia before the allegations surfaced. Since his acquittal, he has not visited the college, and his current whereabouts remain unknown to college authorities and the public.
Legal Response to College Decision
Kumar's lawyer, Virender Singh, has indicated potential legal challenges to the college's decision. "We will carefully review the college's decision regarding voluntary retirement and campus restrictions," Singh stated. "If we determine there has been any injustice to my client following his acquittal, we will not hesitate to approach the high court for appropriate remedies."
The case highlights the complex intersection of legal outcomes and institutional responses in sensitive matters involving allegations of misconduct by educational professionals. While the court has delivered its verdict based on available evidence and retracted statements, the college management has taken independent administrative action based on institutional reputation concerns.
The "Lachar Beti" case has drawn significant attention to issues of campus safety, institutional accountability, and the challenges educational institutions face when allegations surface against long-serving faculty members. The college's decision to grant voluntary retirement while restricting campus access represents a middle ground between legal acquittal and institutional responsibility.
