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AMU teacher alleges online harassment over Northeast identity; FIR registered
The faculty member, who is from a northeastern state, routed her complaint through the university’s proctor’s office, alleging that she had been subjected to constant cyber harassment, online bullying and character assassination, besides comments aimed at provoking regional bias against her.
A woman faculty member of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has lodged a complaint alleging cyber harassment, character assassination and online defamation against a man running a social media page that allegedly targeted her, police said on Sunday.
The faculty member, who is from a northeastern state, routed her complaint through the university’s proctor’s office, alleging that she had been subjected to constant cyber harassment, online bullying and character assassination, besides comments aimed at provoking regional bias against her.
According to police, the complainant named a social media page titled ‘Voice of AMU’, alleging that objectionable material targeting and defaming her had been posted on it repeatedly. She said the posts and comments amounted to cyber harassment, character assassination and online defamation, and sought police assistance in identifying those behind them.
A case was registered on Saturday at Civil Lines police station under sections 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 356(2) (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, an official said, adding that investigation had been launched.
Deputy SP (III) Sarvam Singh said police would take assistance from the cyber cell to trace the digital footprints of those behind the posts and comments against the faculty member.
AMU proctor Prof Mohd Naved Khan has sought action from the police to track down those behind the social media page, alleging that it had also been targeting other faculty members and maligning the image of the institution.
“The unfortunate part is that the woman faculty member has been harassed online, defamed and even bullied because she comes from a northeastern state. Aligarh police have assured effective action to uncover the accused and punish them to set an example,” he said.
