Thu Oct 02 14:17:03 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text.

**Summary:**

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) Tamil Nadu is celebrating the reconstitution of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at Periyar University. The AUT had previously complained that the ICC was not in compliance with the POSH Act, UGC Regulations, and government directives because university heads and officers were serving as members and presiding officers, creating a conflict of interest. The AUT alleges that the previous presiding officer, T. Poongodi Vijayakumar, abused her position to target teachers, including K. Prem Kumar, who has since been acquitted of all charges. The AUT is urging the current university administration to investigate the alleged abuses committed under the previous ICC leadership.

**News Article:**

**Periyar University Reconstitutes Internal Complaints Committee Amid Allegations of Past Abuse**

**Salem, October 2, 2025** – The Association of University Teachers (AUT) Tamil Nadu has lauded Periyar University’s decision to reconstitute its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), following concerns that the previous committee failed to adhere to guidelines aimed at preventing sexual harassment and protecting employees. R. Vasanthamalai, a professor in the Tamil department, has been appointed as the new presiding officer.

The AUT had previously raised concerns that the ICC’s composition, led by former presiding officer T. Poongodi Vijayakumar, violated the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013, University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2015, and government directives. According to the AUT, university heads and officers were serving on the committee, creating a potential conflict of interest and undermining its impartiality.

“The POSH Act and UGC Regulations clearly state that university heads or officers should not be members or presiding officers of the ICC,” said K. Raja, general secretary of the AUT.

The AUT further alleges that Ms. Vijayakumar misused her position to target faculty members, including assistant professor K. Prem Kumar. The AUT claims she allegedly threatened female students who testified to the Salem District Collector, in support of Mr. Kumar who was subject to an inquiry by the ICC under Ms. Vijayakumar. Mr. Kumar has since been acquitted of all charges related to the case.

“The Special District Court for SC/ST (PoA) Act cases verdict proves the innocence of Mr. Kumar,” Raja stated.

The AUT is now urging the university administration to investigate the alleged misconduct of the previous ICC leadership. “The AUT urges the university administration to comprehensively inquire into the illegal ways allegedly employed by Ms. Vijayakumar to victimize the teachers and employees during her term,” Raja added.
The university administration has yet to comment on the allegations against the previous ICC or the scope of any planned investigation. The reconstitution of the ICC is seen as a step towards ensuring a fair and impartial process for addressing complaints of sexual harassment at Periyar University.

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