Sexual Harassment at Bhopal’s National Law University: Students accuse professor of sending obscene messages-videos; Vice Chancellor set up inquiry, also informed Chief Justice

In Bhopal’s National Law Institute University (NLIU), a big case of sexual exploitation of girl students has come to the fore. More than 100 students of the university presented Dean Prof. Tapan Ranjan Mohanty has been accused of sending obscene messages and videos. The matter has reached Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. After his intervention Vice Chancellor Prof. V Vijay has set up an inquiry. The Law University has also sent information to the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court Ravi Malimath regarding the allegation.

The Vice Chancellor said that this is the first time such a complaint has been received. The exact number of girls is not yet known. Action will be taken on the basis of investigation only.

On Thursday, the girl students took up the matter with Prof. There was also a ruckus in Mohanty’s office. After the uproar, Mohanty resigned from the post of dean. On behalf of the girl students, the members of the student body complained to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Chief Minister has ordered a probe by the DGP.

Accused of calling girl students alone
Professor Mohanty is working in NLIU for 23 years. It is alleged that during the offline classes, Prof. Mohanty used to call the girl students alone. After this, obscene messages and videos were sent to the girl students. The girl students claim that they have that message and video as evidence.

On the complaint of the victim girl students, the university management investigated the matter and Prof. Considering Mohanty guilty, he had sought his resignation. Also, there was talk of legal action. After which Prof. Mohanty resigned from the post of Dean, Distance Education and Incharge Academic Block-1, which was accepted.

Bhaskar tried to talk to Professor Mohanty regarding this matter but could not be contacted due to his phone being switched off.

CM Shivraj showed strictness in the matter
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh said that misbehavior with students will not be tolerated. He said that the matter would also be discussed with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the judges of the High Court, if required.

Bhopal Police Commissioner has the responsibility of investigation
The DGP of Madhya Pradesh has entrusted the responsibility of investigation to Bhopal Commissioner Makrand Deuskar. On the instructions of the commissioner, DSP Nidhi Saxena has started investigation. On Friday afternoon, DSP Saxena reached the NLIU campus with her team. Here the statements of the girls were recorded. However, the investigating officers did not disclose how many girl students had complained.

Girls have asked for time to get FIR: Police Commissioner
In a special conversation with Police Commissioner Makrand Deoskar in the case of sexual abuse in Bhopal’s Law University, Bhaskar said that the DSP has taken the statements of the girl students but the girl students have asked for time to get the FIR done. Alumni have also been contacted.

The management says that it is conducting an internal inquiry into the matter but no one is saying anything in front of the camera. According to the information received from the sources, the family members of the girl students have refused to register the case. After this the girls are seen retreating.

The name also surfaced in the fake degree case.
About 4 years ago, the computer system of the examination branch of NLIU had failed. In this, the records related to the examination and its results of the students were maintained. Many questions have arisen due to the failure of his hard disk. In this, a soft copy of the examination time table to the tabulation chart sheet was kept.

It was alleged that BA-LLB (Hons) degrees were given to the failed students in a fake manner. The committee constituted under the chairmanship of a retired judge had even recommended registration of FIR against nine professors and non-teaching staff. Mohanty was the faculty in-charge during the disturbance.

Here, the Vice Chancellor has started the investigation. They are waiting for the report.