Bhubaneswar: Police in Tirupati have arrested two assistant professors of two assistant professors of National Sanskrit University (NSU) following allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and blackmail levelled by a 27-year-old BEd student from Odisha.
According to the complainant, Dr Lakshman Kumar, an assistant professor of the central university, allegedly exploited his position of authority to lure her into his office, where he sexually assaulted her. She further claimed that another assistant professor, Dr A Shekhar Reddy, was present during the incident and shot photographs and videos of the assault. The student further complained that a video of hers was going viral and accused Kumar of possessing and using it to threaten her.
She joined the university in June and had been learning the language with Kumar’s assistance as part of her coursework.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, Tirupati police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as provisions of the Information Technology Act. A special investigation team travelled to the student’s native place in Odisha to record her detailed statement. Officers also inspected the office where the alleged assault took place and collected forensic and other evidence.
Both accused —Dr Lakshman Kumar and Dr A Shekhar Reddy— were taken into custody at 6 pm on December 9 after being picked up for interrogation, produced before a local court, and remanded to judicial custody.
Investigators have also seized two mobile phones from the accused and sent them for forensic analysis to verify claims of harassment, blackmail, and coercion, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the university suspended the two professors amid widespread outrage on campus, with student unions staging demonstrations demanding strict legal action, and stronger safeguards for women on university premises.
On December 8, Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy had also demanded strict action against the accused through a social media post. “I am deeply disturbed by the alleged sexual harassment and blackmail incident involving a first year SC woman student at the National Sanskrit University, Tirupati. Such acts have no place in any educational institution, especially a central university. I strongly condemn this incident and urge the university administration and the police to take immediate and decisive action. The accused must be suspended without delay, and a fair, transparent, and time-bound investigation must be ensured. The safety, dignity and well-being of the victim should be given the highest priority, along with adequate protection and counselling support. I have requested the police department to register the case promptly and conduct a thorough inquiry so that strict legal action is taken against those responsible. I will closely monitor the developments and stand firmly with the victim and her family throughout this process. Universities must remain safe spaces for learning, not places of fear. I urge all authorities to act sensitively and firmly to restore confidence among students and ensure that such incidents are never repeated,” he wrote.
