Assam University Suspends Professor For 90 Days Over Sexual Harassment Allegation

Informing that the students filed a police complaint against assistant professor Ajit Kumar Jena on May 4, alleging that he had sexually harassed them over an extended period, the authorities said that police have registered a case against the professor under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyay Sanghita (BNS).

Pointing out that the registrar of the university Pradosh Kiran Nath sent an email to Jena on May 5, asking him to take a month’s leave and cooperate with the investigation, the authorities said, “Mr Jena did not respond following which the authorities decided to suspend him for 90 days.”

Police said, “The accused professor has been absconding since last Sunday. His location was traced somewhere for a while. A team of Cachar police has gone out to that area to search.”

The registrar of the university said, “Jena was asked to proceed on leave immediately, and he was communicated by email. He was also informed that an FIR had been filed on the matter. Accordingly, he was asked to cooperate with the police administration and report to the police immediately. But he neither applied for leave, nor reported to police.”

The suspension order issued on Wednesday read, “Therefore, considering the non-compliance with the instructions of the University by Ajit Kumar Jena, the competent authority of the University, in exercise of the powers conferred by Rule 10(1) of CCS Rules, 1965 and Acts and Statutes of the University, hereby places him under suspension for a period of 90 (Ninety) days with immediate effect.”

Meanwhile, the students called off their protest after the university’s vice-chancellor, Rajiv Mohan Pant, met them, but said they still demand the professor’s arrest.

The investigating officer of the case said that they are thoroughly investigating the matter and the professor was traced in Guwahati once, but after that he switched his mobile off. “All the police stations in Guwahati and the surrounding area have been informed about this and our team is also searching. We are hopeful that he’ll be arrested soon,” police said.