IIT-Ropar PhD Scholar Alleges Physical Assault and Sexual Harassment by Supervisor

Patiala: A PhD scholar at IIT-Ropar has alleged physical assault and sexual harassment by her supervisor, triggering outrage after she detailed her claims in a social media post on Saturday. In her post on X, the researcher alleged that the faculty member punched her in the eye after she refused what she described as inappropriate demands. She claimed he pressured her to accompany him on a research trip to Japan and threatened to expel her from the doctoral programme when she declined, alleging sustained coercion rooted in the supervisor-student power imbalance. She alleged that the faculty member installed unauthorised surveillance cameras in his laboratory to fabricate evidence, controlled the footage, and later barred her from entering the lab to retrieve her mobile phone, which she said contained proof against him. She also flagged what she described as a delayed institutional response, saying a meeting with the institute director and internal complaints committee (ICC) members assured her of prompt action and a change of supervisor, but no concrete steps followed. She alleged that when on the same day her family left campus after a visit, she was called late at night by the ICC and asked to give a statement to police saying she was "satisfied" with its decision. The scholar said her family, from a village background, incurred around Rs 20,000 in travel expenses over multiple visits, adding that her father was left in severe distress and an uncle had to be hospitalised following the incident. IIT-Ropar director Rajeev Ahuja said the complaint was reported on April 29 and action was initiated the next day. The accused faculty member was sent on two months' forced leave and the matter referred to the police, he said. He added the ICC took cognisance within 24 hours, granted immediate interim relief to ensure the complainant's safety and academic continuity, and that medical support and counselling were being provided. The SHO of Ropar Sadar police station, inspector Sunny, said the matter was under investigation and action would follow upon receipt of a formal complaint, adding that the student and her family had chosen to wait for the ICC report before approaching the police.