Assam University Sexual Harassment Case: Accused Professor to Stay Off-Campus

Assam University has responded to the serious allegations of sexual harassment made against an Assistant Professor from the Department of Social Work by referring the matter to its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for further investigation. The university also directed the accused teacher to take leave and stay off-campus until the probe is complete. 

Following the protest held on Sunday (May 4) by students of Assam University and members of ABVP, students once again gathered outside the university gate today demanding strict action against the Assistant Professor who has been accused of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, defamation, and mental harassment.

In response, the university issued an official letter signed by Registrar P.K. Nath. The letter stated that based on the complaint from students and an initial report by the Head of the Department of Social Work, the issue has been referred to the ICC for investigation. The professor has been instructed to fully cooperate with the ICC.

The letter further mentioned that the accused faculty member has been asked to take leave of the kind due to him, effective immediately, for one month. During this period, he cannot leave station or enter the campus without prior approval from the competent authority.

Additionally, the university informed that another committee will be formed soon to look into complaints made by the professor to the Vice-Chancellor through emails sent on 2 and 3 May.

Barak Bulletin tried to contact Assistant Professor Ajit Kumar Jena as well as the Registrar Pradosh Kiran Nath for their comments. However, Professor Jena’s phone was found switched off, and Registrar Nath did not respond to our repeated calls. As a result, we were unable to gather their side of the story or details about the allegations reportedly submitted by Professor Jena, as mentioned in the university’s letter.

The original FIR filed by students accused the Assistant Professor of sexually explicit and abusive behaviour, including making vulgar and defamatory comments during official academic meetings, threatening students with detention, and making deeply personal remarks. The FIR also mentioned manipulation of students’ statements and coercion to support him, along with criminal intimidation and character assassination of both students and faculty. Students claimed that they possess mobile recordings, call records, and other evidence to support their complaint.