The two professors of the physical education department, who have been charged with sexually harassing three women colleagues over the last eight months, had reported to work at the Kalina campus of the University of Mumbai on Tuesday without the vice-chancellor’s (VC) permission.
“As per rules, if an employee is arrested and released on bail, he or she can join work only after the VC gives permission. In fact, we were still mulling over whether they should be suspended for the 48-hour arrest,” said a top varsity official.
But Nilesh Lohar, 39, and Bapu Chogule, 57, claimed court had released them on the day of the arrest so the suspension rule doesn’t apply. However, they remained absent from work on Wednesday.
The duo was called to the Fort campus on Tuesday evening with the bail and release order. But the officials and law department “failed” to interpret the order and finally sent the matter to the legal cell.
“The VC will take a call on the matter based on the legal cell’s report. But the process might get delayed as he is in China, and is expected to return on Thursday,” said Kumar Khaire, registrar.
