Periyar University Tamil professor suspended

COIMBATORE: Dr T Periasamy, a Tamil department professor at Periyar University, was placed under suspension on Friday following a series of complaints lodged by colleagues and research scholars against him.The suspension order issued by Periyar University Vice-Chancellor Committee convener E Sundaravalli stated that complaints such as misuse of power, obstruction of scholars' academic progress, misuse of scholars for menial tasks, and verbal abuse of colleagues were received against Prof Periasamy.An inquiry committee constituted to probe the allegations found prima facie evidence against Prof Periasamy, warranting immediate disciplinary action and a subsequent departmental inquiry."It is necessary, in the larger public interest and in the interest of the university, to place Prof Periasamy under suspension from the service up to pending departmental enquiry. Prof Periasamy has been placed under suspension from service with immediate effect,” the order said.“He shall not enter the university campus without the prior written permission and shall not leave the headquarters, Salem, without the prior written permission of the undersigned. During the period of suspension, Prof Periasamy is entitled to get subsistence allowance permissible under the law,” the order added.