Lucknow University Professor Detained Over Alleged Leaked Papers, Inappropriate Advances

Darling, I have retrieved two papers for you. When will you come meet me?” an assistant professor from the zoology department of Lucknow University is allegedly heard telling a female student in a viral audio clip that has triggered outrage on campus. The accused has been identified as Dr Paramjeet Singh, according to news agency ANI. In another part of the recording, the teacher allegedly asks the student to meet him before examinations, saying, “Don’t try, come before the exams, within seven days,” while allegedly promising academic favours and leaked examination papers. The viral audio clips surfaced days before police detained the assistant professor on Friday following allegations that he leaked university examination question papers in exchange for undue favours and made inappropriate advances towards the student. According to police, the case was registered at Hasanganj police station on May 15 based on a complaint submitted by the university’s Controller of Examinations. The complaint accused the teacher of engaging in obscene and inappropriate conversations with the student while attempting to lure her with promises of academic benefits. DCP Central Zone Vikrant Vir said the student had submitted audio recordings to the university administration in which the professor was allegedly heard discussing the leaking of examination papers. The university subsequently formed an internal inquiry committee before approaching police. An FIR has been registered under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, related to outraging the modesty of a woman, along with Sections 11 and 13(5) of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Investigators are currently examining the authenticity of the viral audio clips and probing whether any final-year zoology examination papers were actually leaked or whether there was an attempt to manipulate the examination process. According to the complaint, three separate audio recordings were submitted in which the accused teacher can allegedly be heard asking the student to visit his office and collect question papers for two ongoing examinations in advance. Officials said the university handed over the audio clips to police in a pen drive. In one of the recordings, the accused is allegedly heard asking the student to meet him once every week in return for academic favours. Another clip reportedly captures him offering financial help while repeatedly pressuring the student despite her refusal. The allegations triggered protests on the university campus, with members of several student organisations demanding the immediate arrest and termination of the professor. Protesters staged demonstrations outside the proctor’s office and raised slogans against the university administration. The student had earlier approached the university’s Internal Complaint Committee dealing with sexual harassment complaints. She later submitted a formal complaint at the proctor’s office along with representatives of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha.