Police in Lucknow have detained an assistant professor from Lucknow University’s zoology department after allegations surfaced that he offered to leak examination question papers to a female student in exchange for inappropriate favours.
The case was registered at Hasanganj police station on May 15 following a written complaint filed by the university’s Controller of Examinations. According to police, the complaint accused the professor of engaging in obscene conversations with the student and attempting to lure her with promises of academic benefits.
DCP Central Zone Vikrant Vir said the student submitted audio recordings to university authorities in which the professor was allegedly heard discussing leaked examination papers and making inappropriate advances.
Before approaching police, the university reportedly formed an internal inquiry committee to examine the allegations.
Based on the complaint, an FIR was filed under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to outraging the modesty of a woman, along with provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
Police said investigators are now examining the authenticity of the leaked audio clips and probing whether any final-year zoology examination papers were actually leaked or if there was an attempt to manipulate the examination process.
Audio Clips Trigger Campus Protests
The controversy intensified after multiple audio recordings allegedly featuring the professor circulated widely on social media.
According to university officials, the recordings include conversations in which the accused allegedly asked the student to visit his office to collect question papers for ongoing examinations in advance. In another clip, he is allegedly heard asking her to meet him regularly in return for academic favours.
One recording reportedly captures the student accusing the professor of repeatedly calling her to the department under the pretext of helping her while attempting to molest her.
In another audio clip, the accused allegedly offers financial assistance while pressuring the student to accept favours despite her repeated refusals.
The university handed the recordings to police on a pen drive as part of the investigation.
Students Protest on Campus
The allegations sparked protests at Lucknow University, with student groups demanding the professor’s immediate dismissal and arrest.
Members of various student organisations staged demonstrations outside the proctor’s office, and protesting students reportedly blackened the accused professor’s face with ink when he arrived at the office following a summons from university authorities.
Police and members of the proctorial board intervened and escorted the professor into a locked room for protection as tensions escalated on campus.
The student had earlier submitted a complaint to the university’s Internal Complaint Committee under workplace sexual harassment regulations. She later approached the proctor’s office along with representatives of student organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha.
University officials later assured protesters that strict action would follow if the allegations were proven. University spokesperson Mukul Srivastava said disciplinary measures would be taken if the professor is found guilty following the inquiry.
