PATIALA: A PhD scholar at Indian Institute of Technology Ropar has accused her faculty supervisor of physical assault and sexual harassment, sparking outrage after she shared detailed allegations in a post on X.
In her account, the researcher alleged that the professor assaulted her after she refused what she described as inappropriate demands. She claimed he pressured her to accompany him on a research trip to Japan and threatened to expel her from the doctoral programme when she declined, citing a coercive misuse of the supervisor–student power dynamic.
The scholar further alleged that the faculty member installed unauthorised surveillance cameras in his laboratory and controlled the footage to fabricate evidence. She also claimed she was later denied access to the lab to retrieve her mobile phone, which she said contained proof supporting her allegations.
Raising concerns about the institute’s response, the student said she had met the institute’s director and members of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), who assured her of prompt action and a change of supervisor. However, she alleged that no concrete steps followed.
She also claimed that after her family left the campus the same day, she was called late at night by ICC members and asked to give a statement to the police indicating she was “satisfied” with the committee’s decision.
The institute has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
