BENGALURU: A medical college professor has been booked for allegedly proposing to a student during a lecture, an incident that sparked outrage, protests and violence on campus. The accused, Abdul Rehman Sharif, who is attached to the Department of Microbiology, was called for inquiry by police. “In the same case, the accused was called for inquiry. Since the charges are less than seven years, he was only served notice,” police said. His statement has been recorded, officials added. “No arrest as of now,” superintendent of police, Bengaluru Rural district, Chandrakanth MV said. The complaint was filed by the college principal, Divakar SV, at the Nelamangala Rural Police Station on Thursday afternoon. The incident took place at Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre in T Begur, near Nelamangala in Bengaluru Rural district, after videos recorded by students went viral. According to the college’s website, the institution is run by a trust chaired by state home minister G. Parameshwara. The complaint states that the professor had earlier been accused of inappropriate behaviour and was issued a notice asking him to appear for questioning. He had also been instructed not to enter the college premises. However, police say he allegedly violated these directions and entered the campus on 23 March. He is accused of forcibly holding a student’s hand and behaving in an indecent manner during both the afternoon and evening. The incident caused panic among students, disrupted academic activities and raised concerns about campus safety, the complaint adds. The principal alleged that the professor’s actions amounted to harassment as well as trespass, as he ignored clear instructions to stay away. Complaints submitted by students have been attached as evidence. Earlier reports said three videos recorded on students’ mobile phones were widely circulated. In one video, the professor is seen addressing a classroom around 12 pm on March 25, as indicated by the timestamp, claiming he “couldn’t resist the immense love” from the batch and announcing that he wished to propose to “one of the most important girls” in the class. He then said “I love you” to the student and arranged for chocolates to be distributed among classmates. The student objected immediately and asked him to take the matter to the principal. A heated exchange followed, with the professor insisting that she had earlier confessed her feelings and claiming there was CCTV footage to prove it. The student demanded that he produce the footage. The professor then left, saying he would speak to her the next day. However, tensions escalated shortly afterwards. Within minutes, the situation spilled outside the classroom, where a group of students allegedly chased and assaulted him. The student reportedly struck him with her slipper, while others joined in, verbally abusing and physically attacking him. He later fled the scene. Police said a case has been registered under Sections 74, 75(1) and 329 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relate to assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty, sexual harassment, and criminal trespass.
