BENGALURU: A classroom incident at a medical college on the outskirts of Bengaluru has escalated into a criminal case, with police booking an assistant professor for allegedly proposing to a student and later engaging in inappropriate conduct on campus.
The accused, Abdul Rehman Sharif (48), is a microbiology professor at Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre in T Begur near Nelamangala. He was served a notice on Thursday.
Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth MV said the professor’s statement has been recorded. “As the charges are punishable by less than seven years, he has been served a notice and asked to appear before the investigating officer when summoned,” he said.
The case was registered following a complaint by college principal Divakar SV after videos allegedly showing the professor proposing to a student in class went viral on social media.
According to the complaint, the professor had previously been warned over inappropriate behaviour and was directed not to enter the campus. However, he allegedly violated the order and entered the premises on March 23.
The principal further alleged that during his visit, the professor forcibly held the student’s hand and behaved in an indecent manner during both afternoon and evening hours. The complaint states that his actions amounted to harassment as well as criminal trespass.
Notably, the complaint does not explicitly mention the classroom proposal incident captured in viral videos.
Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75(1) (sexual harassment), and 329 (criminal trespass).
Police said further investigation is underway.
