Grave Allegations Surface
Authorities have taken an assistant professor from Lucknow University's zoology department into custody following a formal complaint alleging he offered
to divulge examination question papers. The case was initiated on May 15 at the Hasanganj police station, stemming from a written grievance submitted by the university's Controller of Examinations. The complaint outlines accusations of the professor engaging in inappropriate and indecent exchanges with a female student, attempting to entice her with promises of academic advantages. According to DCP Central Zone Vikrant Vir, the student presented the university administration with audio recordings that purportedly capture the professor discussing the illicit leakage of university examination materials. Before involving the police, the university conducted an internal inquiry into the serious allegations.
Audio Evidence Unveiled
The core of the accusations lies in several audio recordings that have circulated widely, allegedly featuring the accused professor. These recordings reportedly capture the professor making advances towards a female student, promising academic benefits in return for personal favors. The university's complaint specifies that three distinct audio recordings were submitted, wherein the teacher is heard soliciting the student to visit his office to collect question papers for two ongoing examinations in advance. University officials confirmed that these audio clips were handed over to the police on a pen drive. In one particularly damning segment of the audio, the accused professor allegedly proposes meeting the student once per week as part of the 'deal' for academic favors. The student herself has reportedly confirmed filing a complaint with the university’s Internal Complaint Committee (ICC), though she has refrained from further commentary on the matter.
Legal Ramifications and Investigation
Based on the formal complaint, the police have registered a First Information Report (FIR). The legal charges include Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, pertaining to outraging the modesty of a woman, and Sections 11 and 13(5) of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The detained professor is currently undergoing questioning, with further legal proceedings underway. Investigators are diligently working to verify the authenticity of the audio clips and ascertain whether any actual final-year zoology examination papers were compromised or if there was merely an attempt to manipulate the examination process. The university has stated that stringent action will be taken if the professor is found guilty after the inquiry.
Student Protests Erupt
The distressing allegations have ignited significant unrest and protests on the Lucknow University campus. Student members from various organizations have organized demonstrations, vehemently demanding the immediate dismissal and arrest of the assistant professor. During one protest, students took drastic action by smearing black ink on the accused teacher's face and blockading the proctor's office. The student, who initially filed a complaint with the university's Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) established under workplace sexual harassment prevention laws, had gone to the proctor’s office with representatives from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha to submit her complaint. While the student was permitted entry, other students were prevented from entering, leading to heated exchanges with university officials. Protesters subsequently staged a sit-in demonstration outside the office and attempted to force their way inside.
