By The Sampadak Express
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) in Delhi suspended an assistant professor on Wednesday following his arrest on charges of allegedly raping a colleague under the pretext of marrying her. The university emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for violence against women and asserted that the incident occurred outside the campus.
According to the complaint filed by the victim with the Delhi Police, the alleged assault took place in June of last year at Maharani Bagh, two months after she and the accused had met at the university. The police revealed that the two first connected in April of the same year, after which the accused reportedly reached out to the victim via LinkedIn. Within two weeks, he proposed a romantic relationship.
The victim’s complaint states that the accused made physical advances, claiming that they were in the process of arranging a marriage. Their families even engaged in discussions regarding the wedding. However, by October, the engagement talks came to a halt when the accused allegedly cited an incompatibility of horoscopes as a reason for breaking off the relationship. Furthermore, the victim’s father reportedly disapproved of the marriage, adding to the tensions.
The Delhi Police filed a case against the accused under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with rape. The accused was arrested, and investigations into the case are ongoing.In response to the incident, Jamia Millia Islamia issued a statement confirming the termination of the accused’s services. The university clarified that the incident did not take place on the campus and was a personal matter between the individuals involved. The statement also emphasized that the accused was a contractual employee and not a permanent faculty member at the university.
While JMI stressed that the assault occurred off-campus, it reiterated its commitment to combating sexual harassment and promoting gender sensitization. The university highlighted its Internal Complaints Committee, which is responsible for addressing issues related to sexual harassment, and noted that it regularly conducts gender sensitization initiatives for students and staff.
The administration’s statement further conveyed its strong disapproval of the crime, asserting that any violation of women’s dignity, rights, and honor would not be tolerated at Jamia. The university expressed confidence that justice would be served as the legal process unfolds.
This development comes as a reminder of the ongoing need for institutions to enforce strict policies against violence and harassment, while ensuring that justice is pursued diligently in such cases.
