Tripura University assistant professor booked for ‘sexually harassing’ student during viva

Sources indicate that a high-level meeting is likely to be held at the university to determine the internal actions to be taken against the accused faculty member.

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The university has also encouraged individuals with similar complaints to come forward to ensure a comprehensive investigation into all such cases. (Express Photo)

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A day after an assistant professor at Tripura Central University was accused of sexually harassing a student, the Tripura police on Tuesday served a notice to the accused, Bhupesh Debbarma, asking him to appear at the police station.

Debbarma, a faculty member in the Philosophy department, allegedly sexually harassed a student from the Sociology department during her Philosophy viva examination on Monday. The incident resulted in the student fainting and being rushed to Tripura Medical College and Dr. BR Ambedkar Teaching Hospital, where her oxygen levels were found to be low. She was discharged from the hospital Tuesday.

Assistant Inspector General (Law and Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury said, “We registered a case under section 354 A (sexual harassment) and section 509 (insulting modesty of woman) of the Indian Penal Code against him. The accused faculty was served notice today to appear before the police. He came this afternoon. Our investigation is ongoing.”

Supporting the student in the wake of the alleged sexual incident, activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) submitted a memorandum to Vice Chancellor Ganga Prasad Prasain on Tuesday, urging the suspension of the accused faculty member. The Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Welfare, Somdev Banik, interacted with the students and listened to their concerns.

“We demanded the immediate suspension of the faculty member. Our Vice Chancellor assured us that proper action would be taken following the university’s rules. If our demand is not met, we will continue our protest until justice is served to the victim,” said Sanjit Saha, ABVP secretary, during a media interaction.

Sources indicate that a high-level meeting is likely to be held at the university to determine the internal actions to be taken against the accused faculty member.