INDIA · 07 Sep 2026 · 05:55 GMT ·2 min read

JNU Internal Complaints Committee Probes Harassment Allegations Against Faculty Member

At least 10 students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) filed sexual harassment complaints against a professor.

NEUTRALITY 75 · BALANCED· 2 sources

Hindustan Times India

At least 10 students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) filed sexual harassment complaints against a professor. The Hindustan Times reported 11 students filed complaints. The university Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) investigates allegations of sexual advances and inappropriate classroom remarks. Students reported the professor invited them to his on-campus residence for gatherings. Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit said the ICC manages the probe independently. The professor denies the allegations and calls them false.

Context

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) maintains an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address sexual harassment allegations within the campus community. The committee operates independently of the university administration.

Supportive perspectives

The university activated its formal misconduct mechanism. Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit confirmed on September 6, 2026, that the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) handles these allegations. Pandit is not a member of the committee. This separation ensures the investigation remains independent from university leadership.
The university launched an investigation following complaints filed approximately one month before September 6, 2026, as reported by the Times of India.
The investigation expanded after senior students reported similar experiences following an initial complaint. The committee is now examining a broader range of incidents instead of a single event.
The ICC provides a dedicated channel for students to report misconduct. The university uses this committee to follow its established policy for handling sexual harassment claims. This process offers both the accused and the complainants a formal venue for their proceedings.

Critical perspectives

The professor maintains the claims are unfounded. On September 6, 2026, he stated he was unaware of any complaints. He asserted that the allegations against him were false. These statements conflict with accounts provided by the students.
Complaints include allegations of sexual advances and inappropriate remarks. Students reported that the professor invited them to gatherings at his on-campus residence.
Students allege the professor made inappropriate remarks during classes. Reports indicate these incidents occurred in public academic settings. The scope of these reports extends beyond the students who filed formal complaints.
Reports indicate the probe began after someone shared a WhatsApp chat. This sequence raises questions about the origin of the complaint. Current reporting provides limited details on the matter.