Jamia professor suspended over ‘sexual harassment’ charge by 4 PhD scholars
New Delhi, July 17
The Jamia Milia Islamia has suspended a professor and ordered inquiry into complaints of sexual harassment against him by four PhD scholars, one of whom had to cancel her admission.
Officiating Vice Chancellor Mohammad Shakeel ordered the suspension of the professor using his emergency powers and placed the inquiry before the Internal Complaints Committee, an order said.
The suspended professor has been barred from taking classes pending inquiry and is asked to mark his attendance at the chief proctor office until further order.
The students have alleged that the professor used “uncouth and uncivilised language” against them during a lecture and also made sexual overtures.
According to the suspension order dated July 16, “Four PhD scholars of Centre for Jawaharlal Nehru Studies, JMI, have levelled allegations and made specific complaints of sexual harassment, non-cooperation, disrespectful behaviour, undisciplined, uncouth and uncivilised language used by the professor.”
“In view of the above and considering the seriousness of the matter as one of the students (name not disclosed) has even got her PhD admission cancelled because of such conduct of the professor,” the university order read.
The accused professor could not be reached for his response.
The order also bars the professor from leaving the city without approval from the competent authority during the suspension period, the order stated.
