Tripura University professor accused of sexual harassment, sent on forced leave

An assistant professor of Tripura University has been sent on forced leave until further notice after he was accused of allegedly sexually harassing a girl student of the University.

As per inputs, the University authority has received a complaint of sexual harassment against Dr Bhupesh Debbarma, Assistant Professor of the Department of Philosophy.

The mother of the student filed an FIR against Debbarma at the Amtali Police Station in Agartala alleging that he molested her daughter within the university premises three days ago.

Subsequently, the university referred the case to the internal complaints committee (ICC), which initiated an investigation into the matter.

Debbarma has been asked not to leave the station and to make himself available for any inquiry as and when called, informed Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ganga Prasad Prasain.

Speaking to Northeast Live, VC Professor Ganga Prasad Prasain said, “We are abiding by all the rules and regulations of the University Grant Commission and the Ministry of Education. So as per those rules and regulations, when the investigation is on, he should not come to the University until the investigation is over. At the same time he can not leave the station and have to make himself available to report whenever he will be called by the ICC. Therefore we (the University Authority) has taken the decision.”

In response to the allegations, members of the ABVP, a student organization, staged a protest in front of the Vice Chancellor’s chamber, demanding the immediate suspension of the accused Assistant Professor until a thorough investigation into the case was completed.