‘Extra marks if…’: JNU professor accused of sexual harassment said this to students

The JNU professor allegedly made inappropriate remarks with sexual connotations during the viva examinations held in the first week of May.

A Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor in Delhi is being investigated after 11 students of the institute filed a sexual harassment complaint with the internal complaints committee (ICC), university sources said.

The complaint was filed in May this year, following which the ICC began its proceedings, calling several students to record their statements, HT reported earlier.

Though the students went on a roughly 45-day semester break, the discussions about the complaint resurfaced when classes resumed in mid-July.

The professor allegedly made inappropriate remarks with sexual connotations during the viva examinations held in the first week of May.

In the second week, one of the students shared her experience with fellow students on an unofficial WhatsApp group, prompting many others to come forward with similar allegations.

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"He made remarks suggesting that he would award them extra marks if the students accepted his sexual advances,” the source told HT.

Following this, an ICC complaint was submitted later in the month, with several students recording their statements in the case.

Previous harassment case at JNU

The latest complaint comes against the backdrop of a previous sexual harassment case at the university against a senior faculty member.

In April 2025, JNU's executive council dismissed four staff members, including a teaching faculty member accused of sexual harassment. The other three were named in a corruption case.

The dismissed teaching member was identified as Swaran Singh, a senior professor at JNU's School of International Studies, HT reported at the time. He was accused of sexually harassing a Japanese official from the Embassy of Japan.

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The Japanese official, who reportedly coordinated with professors for academic events, had filed a complaint after her last meeting with Swaran Singh.

An official familiar with the matter had told HT that multiple complaints had allegedly been made against Singh in the past.

The incident took place in May 2024, after which the ICC conducted an extensive investigation, during which both sides had the opportunity to present their statements.

Since there was plenty of evidence against Singh, including audio recordings, he was dismissed.

Gargi Shukla is a correspondent with Hindustan Times. She reports on schools, colleges and issues that affect students, teachers, parents, and educational institutions in India's capital. She closely tracks the political economy of education, student politics, and policy developments shaping the sector in Delhi. She earlier worked as a sub editor with Outlook Business.Read More