Medical Professor Arrested for Alleged Proposal to Student During Lecture in Bengaluru
A bizarre classroom incident at a medical college in Bengaluru has escalated into a serious criminal case, with police arresting a professor for allegedly proposing to a student during a lecture. The episode triggered widespread outrage, student protests, and violent confrontations on campus, disrupting the academic environment and raising critical safety concerns.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
The accused, identified as Abdul Rehman Sharif, a professor attached to the Department of Microbiology, was arrested late Thursday night. A senior police officer confirmed the arrest, stating that further investigation is actively underway to gather additional evidence and testimonies.
The principal of Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Divakar SV, filed an official complaint with the Nelamangala Rural Police Station on Thursday afternoon. The college is located in T Begur near Nelamangala, within Bengaluru Rural district, and is governed by a trust chaired by state home minister G. Parameshwara, according to its official website.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Controversy
The complaint reveals that the professor had previously faced allegations of inappropriate behavior, prompting the college administration to issue him a notice. He was directed to appear for questioning and was explicitly instructed not to enter the college premises under any circumstances.
However, in clear violation of these directives, the professor allegedly entered the campus on March 23. During his unauthorized presence, he is accused of forcibly holding the hand of a student and behaving in an indecent manner both in the afternoon and evening sessions. This caused significant panic and confusion among students, severely disrupting the academic atmosphere.
The principal emphasized that the professor's actions constituted not only harassment but also criminal trespass, as he deliberately ignored explicit instructions to stay away from the institution. Copies of complaints submitted by students have been attached to the police complaint as supporting evidence, strengthening the case against him.
Viral Videos and Classroom Confrontation
Three videos recorded on students' mobile phones went viral on Thursday, capturing the shocking incident. The footage shows the professor addressing a classroom from the podium around 12 pm on March 25, as indicated by the timestamp.
In the video, he claims he "couldn't resist the immense love" from the batch and announces his intention to propose to "one of the most important girls" in the class. He then declares "I love you" to the student and arranges for chocolates to be distributed among classmates.
The student immediately objected, demanding that he take the matter to the principal. A heated exchange ensued, with the professor insisting that she had previously confessed her feelings and even claiming there was CCTV footage to prove it. The student challenged him to produce the footage, after which the professor walked out, saying he would speak to her the next day.
Escalation to Violence and Legal Charges
Tensions escalated rapidly following the classroom confrontation. Within minutes, the situation spilled onto the campus, where an agitated group of students allegedly chased and assaulted the professor. Reports indicate that the girl struck him with her slipper, while others joined in, verbally abusing and physically attacking him until he eventually fled the scene.
Based on the principal's complaint, a formal case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include:
- Section 74: Assault or use of criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
- Section 75(1): Sexual harassment.
- Section 329: Criminal trespass and house-trespass.
This incident highlights severe lapses in campus safety and protocol enforcement, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect students and maintain a conducive learning environment. The ongoing police investigation aims to ensure justice and prevent such occurrences in the future.
