University of Hyderabad has condemned the alleged sexual assault of a student by one of its professors. In a press statement released on Saturday the university said it condemned the incident and suspended professor Ravi Ranjan with immediate effect after a criminal complaint and FIR was lodged against him.
"The University condemns the incident that occurred involving Prof Ravi Ranjan, Dept of Hindi & a student on Dec 2. Based on the criminal complaint & FIR, the Prof is placed under suspension with immediate effect," the press release by the Hyderabad University read.
The Cyberabad police on Saturday arrested the professor on charges of sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a foreign student.
“Cyberabad Police have taken a professor of the University of Hyderabad into custody after a student alleged that he molested her. The student belongs to Thailand & is studying here," said K Shilpavalli, DCP Madhapur after making the arrest, reported news agency ANI.
Earlier in the day, university students gathered at the main gate and started protest demanding justice for the victim. They also urged the management to suspend the professor.
The victim, who is from Thailand and only spoke in her native language was allegedly invited by the professor to his residence in the vicinity of the university campus late Friday evening on the pretext of sharing a book.
The professor was alone at his residence and tried to give her alcohol and take advantage of the situation, according to the complaint lodged by the victim with the police, reported ANI.