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In an alleged case of sexual misconduct, a senior scientist at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, has been placed under suspension. The Director of NIN, R Hemalatha, has constituted an enquiry committee with external representatives from an NGO, Osmania University, etc, to examine and recommend punishment.
The scientist, K Bhaskarachary (58), reportedly harassed a second year student of MSc (Nutrition), who hails from a Dalit family, with obscene messages. He was her guide for the dissertation. The victim complained with evidence to the Director a few days ago, based on which Bhaskarachary was suspended pending final enquiry, according to the Institute.
With over three-and-a-half decades of service with NIN, Bhaskarachary was recently made head of a newly created department called Dietitics, which specialises in defining customised health foods to fight various lifestyle diseases and maintaining a healthy life.
Joining the technical cadre, he moved to scientific grade and has risen to senior scientist level. Bhaskarachary, a doctorate in biochemistry, guides students and is on the guest faculty of several universities in India and abroad. He has also served as the President of the Indian Dietitics’ Association.
He now has to await the report of the enquiry committee and NIN, which, in consultation with the Indian Council of Medical Research, the parent, will take a final call on the case. NIN is currently celebrating its centary.
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