Symbiosis has placed a Nagpur campus professor on compulsory leave and ordered an enquiry into a former student's allegations. Police say the claims remain unverified because no formal complaint or supporting evidence has been submitted.
Symbiosis has placed a Nagpur campus professor on compulsory leave and ordered an enquiry into a former student's allegations.
Nagpur,Oct 19, 2026 13:24 IST
Symbiosis International (Deemed University) has sent a professor from its Nagpur campus on compulsory leave over allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a former female student and encouraged her to follow Islamic religious practices, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing a senior university official.
The university has formed a high-powered committee to investigate the allegations following protests by some right-wing organisations. It said further action would be taken after the committee submits its report.
Sources said the professor had already submitted his resignation.
However, the former student, who left the institution six months ago, and her father have neither filed a formal police complaint nor provided evidence of the messages despite requests from the Nagpur city police, officials told PTI.
A police official said the allegations included sending objectionable messages and encouraging the student to follow Islamic practices. The claims could not be verified in the absence of a complaint or supporting evidence, the official added.
The matter led to protests by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who demanded the professor's removal and strict action against him.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nityanand Jha said 15 to 17 people representing various organisations gathered at the university campus around 11.30 am on Saturday. The police intervened and facilitated talks between the protesters and university officials. A delegation later met the university administration.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the university said it had taken note of reports on social media and the complaint before forming the committee to examine the allegations. It said it was committed to protecting the safety and dignity of students and staff.
A senior police official told PTI that the former student's family had raised the issue with right-wing groups but had not approached the police despite being asked to do so three times. Police enquiries found that the student had left the institution six months ago.
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