An assistant professor at Assam’s National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar has been arrested on charges of sexual harassment of the student. Accused Professor D. Koteshwar Raju Dhenukonda is accused of calling the student in his chamber and touched improperly and physically exploited her.

After the incident, the student lodged a police complaint, after which the professor was immediately taken into custody.

The student told the incident: “Started touching in exchange for improving the marks”

The student said in her written complaint that the professor made an excuse for low marks and called her in her chamber.

“They asked me about my numerals and suddenly started touching me. He said that if I agree with them, my marks can be fine.”

The student further alleged that the professor touched her thighs, stomach, neck and lips and grabbed her from behind.

“He asked me to sit with him, then grabbed from behind and started talking unfair things about my body. Then my friend got a call and I somehow escaped from there.”

Students uproar in NIT campus, demonstration all night

After the incident, students of NIT Silchar demonstrated overnight and demanded strict action against the professor.

• The students allege that this is not the first time, even before this, a complaint of sexual harassment has been filed against this professor.

• After the protest, the institute administration suspended the accused professor and sealed his chamber.

• NIT Registrar Ashim Roy said that,

  “The victim is being given all possible help so that she can feel safe and comfortable.”

• The investigation of the case has been handed over to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

Trying to avoid arrest, police caught mobile location

Superintendent of Police Numal Mahta, Superintendent of Police of Kachar district, said that the professor was arrested at 5:30 pm on Friday.

• The accused was trying to hide by locking from outside his quarters.

• Police tracked the location of his mobile phone and caught him.

• The professor has been arrested under various sections of the Code of Justice of India (BNS).

There have been allegations of sexual harassment earlier also

• The accused Professor was teaching in NIT Silchar from 2018.

• In 2021 too, a student accused him of sexual harassment.

• However, he was acquitted at that time due to lack of evidence and absence of complainant.

Now, after once again serious allegations, the police have decided to investigate the matter on priority.