Agra: Following lodging of an FIR and disciplinary action against a professor at Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra, over alleged sexual exploitation of a research scholar, another professor at Agra College, affiliated to the same university, has been accused of sexual harassment by a student.
Both the associate professor and the scholar have been studying history at the college that was established in 1823.
The student has alleged that the professor calls her at night, sends objectionable messages and makes objectionable comments in college as well. She has also made the chats available to the college management.
When ThePrint contacted the professor, he refuted the charges, claiming that there was no truth in the allegations and that he had not done anything wrong.
On Wednesday, the college management committee, chaired by Agra Divisional Commissioner Shailendra Kumar Singh, met to discuss the issue. An internal inquiry committee has been formed, headed by professor Mrinal Sharma, under guidelines of the University Grants Commission pertaining to the POSH (prevention of sexual harassment) Act.
It has been tasked to submit its findings within 10 days, post which action will be considered against the professor. No FIR has been filed in the case yet.
“The management committee discussed the complaint made by the student. An internal inquiry committee of the college has been tasked to conduct an inquiry and file a report, after which action will be taken in the matter,” Singh told ThePrint.
Family members of the scholar have also complained to the college management against the professor, ThePrint has learnt.
According to another Agra College lecturer, who did not wish to be named, the scholar has been studying history for the past 18 months. The accused professor has also been doing the same, both under guide professor Nisha Rathore who heads the history department.
The lecturer said the accused professor was removed from the post of the college’s head of department of history this May, following complaints against him by teachers and students. He was replaced by Rathore.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)