A professor at Sarah Tucker College for Women in Perumalpuram, Tirunelveli, has been suspended following a complaint that she demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to grant approval for a PhD research work.
The complainant, Adithya from Thoothukudi, is pursuing doctoral research in the Commerce department of the college. She alleged that her research supervisor, Prof. Leelavathi Bhakkiyathai, sought money in exchange for approving her research.
The student also released an audio recording of a phone conversation related to the allegation. After this, the college management formed a committee and conducted an internal inquiry.
According to the inquiry findings, the demand for money was found to be true. Following this, the college principal, Felicia Gladys, issued orders suspending the professor.
The professor has also been barred from serving as a PhD research guide, the college said.
