A 55-year-old Assistant Professor at Delhi University’s Daulat Ram College has been sent on leave and served a show-cause notice after a female student complained of alleged sexual harassment and assault. According to a student speaking on behalf of the complainant, the professor allegedly sent her inappropriate sexual messages, attempted to molest her and threatened to fail her.
The alleged incident took place on October 27, while the complaint was filed on October 29. The college’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is examining the complaint. The professor has denied the allegations, calling them “false and baseless”, and said he would respond to the show-cause notice after taking legal advice. Meanwhile, the Daulat Ram College Students’ Union has backed the complainant and demanded a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation.
Complaint Prompts Inquiry
The complaint alleges that the professor had been sending the student inappropriate sexual messages and had allegedly harassed her for around three months. The complainant has also alleged sexual harassment, inappropriate conduct, coercion and an attempt to molest her. According to the student representing the complainant, the professor allegedly threatened to fail her in examinations. The alleged incident on the college premises reportedly took place on October 27, with the written complaint submitted two days later on October 29.
Following the complaint, the professor was placed on leave and served a show-cause notice. Daulat Ram College Vice-Principal Priti Malhotra confirmed that an inquiry had been initiated but said the college could not comment further as the matter was before the internal committee. She also confirmed that the professor was not currently attending the college.
Professor Rejects Charges
The professor has denied the allegations and described them as “false and baseless”. Speaking to The Indian Express, he said, “I am being framed and harassed.” He confirmed that he had been served a show-cause notice and placed on leave, adding that the college had not specified how long the leave would continue. He said he would submit his response after seeking legal advice.
The allegations have not been established and remain under investigation. The ICC will examine the complaint before the college determines what further action, if any, should be taken. At present, there has been no finding by the committee establishing the allegations against the professor.
Students Seek Swift Justice
The Daulat Ram College Students’ Union has expressed solidarity with the complainant and demanded a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation by the ICC. The union president said strict action, including termination of the professor, should follow if the allegations are established.
The union has also warned that any delay in the investigation or in delivering justice could lead to a large-scale protest and an approach to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other relevant authorities. It has stressed that students’ safety, dignity and access to justice must remain a priority on campus.
ICC To Establish Facts
The college’s ICC is now examining the complaint. Its inquiry will be important in determining what happened and whether the allegations can be substantiated. The college has not publicly disclosed the details of the committee’s proceedings or indicated when the inquiry will conclude.
The case also highlights the importance of having mechanisms through which students can report allegations of sexual harassment without fear, while ensuring that complaints are examined fairly and confidentially. For institutions, responding promptly to complaints while protecting the rights of all parties is essential to maintaining trust in campus grievance mechanisms.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Every student deserves a campus where they can learn without fear of harassment, intimidation or misuse of authority. Allegations of sexual harassment must be taken seriously, but they must also be examined through a fair, evidence-based and time-bound process rather than through assumptions before an inquiry is complete.
The ICC’s investigation should therefore establish the facts while ensuring that the complainant is treated with dignity and the professor receives due process. A strong institutional response can help build safer and more trustworthy educational spaces. How can universities make students feel safer about reporting harassment while ensuring every complaint is investigated fairly and promptly?
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