Eleven students enrolled at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi have approached the institute’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), alleging sexual harassment by a professor, sources at the institute reported on Sunday. The complaints, according to sources, had been submitted in May this year, following which the ICC has begun proceedings. 

However, the allegations have not been verified yet, and further action shall depend on the findings of the ICC probe. 

Students allege professor’s inappropriate conduct

As per the complaints, the professor allegedly invited students to gatherings at his residence on the JNU campus, where he allegedly made inappropriate sexual advances towards the complainants. 

The professor has also been accused of making lewd and inappropriate remarks during classes, the sources added. Following the complaints, several senior students reportedly approached the authorities and levelled similar allegations against the faculty members. Since then, the ICC has begun examining the complaints as part of its probe. 

So far, the JNU administration has not issued a statement in connection with the incident.

Similar case emerged in 2025 too

The latest allegations surface against the backdrop of a similar incident involving a senior faculty member at the university. In April 2025, JNU’s Executive Council dismissed four staff members, including a teaching faculty member accused of sexual harassment and three others in a separate corruption case. 

The professor sacked in connection with the sexual harassment case was identified as Swaran Singh, who was attached to the JNU’s School of International Studies. He was terminated after it came to pass that he had sexually harassed a Japanese official from the Embassy of Japan,  as per an official familiar with the incident. The Japanese official, who coordinated with the JNU professor for academic events, reportedly filed a complaint after her final meeting with Singh. 

Committee examining complaints

On the condition of anonymity, a senior faculty member said that the earlier incident had unfolded in May 2024 and that the committee had conducted an extensive probe. Both sides were reportedly given an opportunity to present witnesses during the proceedings. 

Meanwhile, in the latest case, the ICC is examining the 11 complaints and the allegations levelled by the students. The institute’s inquiry process is currently underway, and no finding of guilt has been reported so far.