PhD student accuses IIT Bhubaneswar professor of sexually harassing her

The incident came to light when the woman’s lawyer served a notice to the secretary of the skill development and technical education department, PK Sarangi.

A woman PhD student at IIT Bhubaneswar has accused a professor of sexually and mentally harassing her and mentally torturing her husband, a PhD student at the same institute.

Representative Image | The woman in her complaint had alleged that she was a victim of sexual harassment since 2012 and had approached the IIT’s authorities. (HT File Photo)

The allegation was denied by the institute.

The incident came to light when the woman’s lawyer served a notice to the secretary of the skill development and technical education department, PK Sarangi.

The petitioner sought action against the professor and the restoration of her PhD registration and that of her husband.

PK Sarangi wrote a letter to the institute’s authorities asking them to submit a report immediately on the matter.

The woman has also written to chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking their intervention.

The woman in her complaint had alleged that she was a victim of sexual harassment since 2012 and had approached the IIT’s authorities but was unsatisfied with the report of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), instituted to look into her complaint. She has demanded fresh probe into the allegations.

“The allegation against the professor is false and fabricated,” IIT Bhubaneswar, register Debraj Rath told reporters.