The head of a department at Jamia Millia Islamia has been suspended following a student’s sexual harassment complaint. Based on her allegations, an FIR has been registered under Section 75 (sexual harassment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complaint claims the professor called the student to his office on August 27 and inappropriately touched her. Subsequent actions included the filing of an FIR the next day and the university issuing a suspension memo on Thursday, pending an internal complaints committee (ICC) inquiry. A university official labeled the incident a “serious breach of the code of conduct.”
The student’s complaint details that the professor made sexual advances and inappropriate gestures. The official also noted that the accused has been prohibited from leaving the campus without permission from the competent authority. A friend of the complainant revealed that the student felt traumatized, emphasizing the professor’s authority and age disparity. She initially approached the police, fearing the university might not act stringently. Although the university claims he is suspended, the professor has only been removed from his department head post and remains on campus.
This incident is not isolated within Jamia Millia Islamia. Earlier this year, another professor faced allegations from four women research scholars, accusing him of sexual harassment and unprofessional behavior. In May, one of the affected students even left her course. An ICC inquiry began in July, leading to his suspension and banning him from the Centre for Jawaharlal Nehru Studies pending further orders. This previous case remains unresolved as the inquiry continues.
The twin incidents point to ongoing concerns about sexual misconduct within the university, calling for immediate and stringent action to ensure a safer academic environment.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/jamia-student-accuses-professor-of-sexual-assault-fir-lodged/article68587178.ece
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