DU sexual harassment case has once again put the spotlight on how academic institutions handle allegations of abuse. A Delhi University professor has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for allegedly sexually harassing and abusing a minor student. The accused is already known to have faced three earlier complaints of misconduct, raising serious questions about the college’s handling of such sensitive issues.
Police Register FIR, Awaiting Interrogation
According to a senior police official, an FIR has been registered, and the matter is under investigation. “He has not been arrested yet, but the police will soon call him in for questioning,” said the officer. The Delhi Police have also reached out to the college administration, requesting all documents related to the professor’s service and conduct, along with formally notifying them about the FIR.
Student’s Complaint Triggered Action
The complaint that triggered the FIR was submitted by the student to the college’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in December 2024. Sources confirmed that the survivor is a minor, which led to the POCSO Act being invoked. The allegations include sexual harassment and abuse, prompting the ICC to begin an internal inquiry the same month.
As a temporary measure, the ICC recommended that the professor be removed from campus and restricted from interacting with students until the inquiry is complete. The committee is expected to submit its final report within two weeks.
A History of Ignored Warnings
Shockingly, this is not the first time the professor has been accused of inappropriate behavior. College and university insiders revealed that similar complaints were made in 2016, 2020, and 2023. However, all three were allegedly “buried” without any action being taken.
“There was always pressure not to escalate the complaints,” said a college official familiar with the previous cases. The lack of disciplinary action in the past has now become a major point of concern, with student groups and faculty calling out the system for failing to protect victims and allowing repeated offenders to remain on campus.
Protests Lead to Resignation and Suspension
In January 2025, student bodies organised protests demanding strict action against the professor. Shortly after, the accused resigned from his administrative position, citing the allegations as the reason for stepping down. “Due to these allegations, I am finding it extremely challenging to continue my additional duties,” he wrote in his resignation letter.
The same month, the college administration suspended him for six weeks. Both the police investigation and the university’s internal inquiry are still in progress.
Silence from the Top, Demands for Accountability
So far, the college principal has declined to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, the college administration is consulting legal counsel to determine the next steps. The case has sparked widespread criticism of how such complaints are handled and the apparent institutional reluctance to act decisively against powerful faculty members.
As the DU sexual harassment case unfolds, students and activists are urging authorities to take stronger action to ensure that universities are safe spaces for all — particularly minors — and that accountability is not delayed or denied in the face of serious allegations.
ALSO READ
Study Abroad: Why the UK, Canada, and Australia Remain Top Choices for Indian Students
AP Higher Education Policy Overhauled: All Seats Reserved for State Students from 2025
Pingback: Is Dubai the Right Place for IIFT to Open Its First Overseas Campus -