Kolhapur Engineering Professor Arrested on Molestation Charges
A professor from an engineering college in Kolhapur was arrested on Saturday night following serious allegations of molestation and outraging the modesty of a 20-year-old student. The college administration has taken swift action by suspending the accused professor pending further investigation.
Details of the Allegations and Arrest
The complainant, a female student, accused Professor Sourabh Joshi, who heads the civil environment department at the college and resides in Kolhapur city, of attempting to establish a physical relationship with her. According to the police complaint, the incidents occurred between November 2025 and March 4, 2026. The professor allegedly called the student to his cabin and sent inappropriate text messages that violated her dignity.
Assistant Inspector Tabassum Magdum of the Gokul Shirgaon police station, where the case was registered, provided details of the allegations. The professor is accused of hugging the woman, sending text messages, and calling her with wrong intentions. Police are now investigating whether the accused misbehaved with other female students at the institution. The court has remanded Professor Joshi to magisterial custody for 14 days to facilitate a thorough inquiry.
College Response and Student Concerns
In response to the arrest, the college administration issued a statement expressing deep anguish over the professor's actions. The administration confirmed that Joshi has been suspended and pledged full cooperation with the police to ensure justice for the victim. However, the case has raised broader concerns about student safety and institutional accountability.
The student did not report the incidents to the college's internal coordination committee, which is designed to address such grievances. She told police that she feared the committee might reveal her identity or lead to further harassment, highlighting potential flaws in the existing complaint mechanism.
Demands from Student Associations
Student associations have reacted strongly to the incident, demanding stricter measures. Manjit Mane, the district president of Yuva Sena of Shiv Sena (UBT), called for the professor's termination from the college. He also advocated for the establishment of a permanent police chowkey on the college premises to enhance security and prevent similar incidents in the future.
This case underscores ongoing issues related to student safety and institutional responsibility in educational settings. As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to examine the college's internal processes and ensure that robust safeguards are in place to protect students from harassment.
