Bengaluru: In a major embarrassment for Bengaluru University, five guest lecturers, including Swaroop Kumar and RamAnjaneya, have been booked on charges of sexual harassment, misconduct, and unethical practices. The FIR was registered at Jnanabharati Police Station after a guest lecturer filed a complaint alleging harassment and exploitation.
FIR and Allegations
According to the complaint, the accused lecturers harassed a fellow woman guest lecturer and even demanded money from an visually impaired student, Netrananda, in exchange for awarding internal marks. The police confirmed that a case has been registered and investigations are underway.
Adding to the controversy, several videos of the accused lecturers have gone viral on social media, showing them allegedly drinking and dancing in an inebriated state, raising serious questions about their conduct as educators.
Accused Lecturer Denies Charges
One of the accused, Swaroop Kumar, released a video denying the allegations, claiming that the complaint was an act of revenge by the complainant. “The charges are baseless. The complainant was earlier terminated from her post as a guest lecturer due to fraud and ineligibility issues. Out of personal grudge, she has filed a false complaint against us,” Swaroop said.
University Responds
Bengaluru University officials termed the incident “serious and unacceptable.”
“Teachers are expected to be role models. Any form of sexual harassment, unethical behavior, or misconduct will not be tolerated. We will act strictly against those found guilty,” the administration said in a statement.
The university has announced the formation of an internal inquiry committee to probe the allegations and take disciplinary action.
Background
The complainant, who was also pursuing a PhD, alleged that she was targeted after her termination. The university maintains that her removal was linked to fraud and eligibility concerns, not connected to the harassment complaint.
The case has now triggered strong reactions among students and faculty, with demands for accountability and reforms in the guest lecturer recruitment and monitoring system.
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