A student at Jadavpur University has accused a professor in the arts
faculty of sexually and mentally harassing her during the ongoing semester examinations.

The student has lodged a complaint with the university’s registrar, who has
asked the internal complaints committee of the institution to investigate the allegations.

The student has written in her complaint that on February 19, Day 1 of the ongoing semester examinations, she was asked, following instructions from the teacher, to be “uncomfortably frisked” in front of the entire class on suspicion that she was in possession of chits.

“I hesitated for a few moments but was asked to do it or face a debar from the examination. I had to get frisked uncomfortably in front of the entire class but no chits or any documents tantamount to unfair means could be produced,” the student has written.

The student said a female invigilator, who is a PhD scholar, frisked her.

The student has alleged that while the examination on another paper was underway on February 21, the same invigilator stopped her from writing and took her to the chamber of the accused professor.

The professor, she said, falsely alleged that she had written answers on her hand.

The student has also accused the professor of giving her “uncomfortable stares” and expressed doubt over whether a girl from a district could secure the first rank in the admission test conducted by the university.

“This casteist and Brahmanical approach towards a female student from a rural community is completely uncalled for,” the student has written in her complaint.

She has also sent her complaint to Jadavpur police station.

The accused teacher said: “The allegations are absolutely baseless. I want the university to investigate the allegations at the earliest.”

JU registrar Snehamanju Basu said: “The internal complaints committee, which is investigating the allegations, has been told to submit its report soon.”