Hyderabad University Professor Held For Outraging Modesty Of Foreign Student

The student was allegedly invited to the professor's residence, where he tried to take advantage of her.

The student was allegedly invited to the professor's residence on 2 December, where he tried to take advantage of her.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Cyberabad Police on Saturday, 3 December, arrested Professor Ravi Ranjan at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) on charges of outraging the modesty of a foreign student. In a statement, the University has said that it condemns the incident, and announced the suspension of the accused, who is part of the Hindi Department.

What we know: The student was allegedly invited to the professor's residence on 2 December. He was reportedly alone at home, and urged her to have alcohol – trying to take advantage of the situation, the Cyberabad Police quoted the complainant. An FIR has been filed under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354(A)of the Indian Penal Code.

Students gathered at the campus to protest following the incident.

Students gathered at the campus to protest following the incident.

This matters. Because.. In a statement, the UoH Students Union said that the condemned the 'apathy and deliberate incompetence of the administration in handling the issue.'

"Despite the severity of the issue, the registrar ignored all the calls and preferred to sleep peacefully at his home while the student community was gathered in support of the student the entire night. There was a deliberate delay and passing around of responsibilities by the concerned authorities," the union said.

What next? The students union has called for a protest, seeking to hold concerned authorities accountable and demand immediate justice from the University administration.