Sanskrit University Lecturer Charged Under BNS and POCSO After Alleged Misconduct

New Tehri, a grave allegation of sexual misconduct involving two female students has surfaced at the Shri Raghunath Kirti Campus of Central Sanskrit University in Devprayag, Tehri district. One of the victims is a minor, while the other is an adult.

Complaint Leads to FIR

Following a formal complaint lodged by the campus administration, the Bah Bazaar police filed an FIR against Dr. Suryamani Bhandari, a lecturer at the institution, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The alleged incident is said to have occurred on 22 August. The campus in‑charge submitted a detailed, named complaint on 21 September, alleging that the teacher engaged in inappropriate behavior and molestation of the two students. In response, the university launched its own internal inquiry.

Police Investigation Begins

After registering the FIR, investigators have started gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. SSI Anita Negi, the assigned investigation officer, stated that the case is being examined impartially, based solely on the facts and material evidence collected.

Negi added that because certain provisions of the POCSO Act prescribe a maximum imprisonment of less than seven years, the police are adhering to the statutory arrest procedure applicable to those sections.

Station House Officer Inspector Amarjeet confirmed that the campus director had submitted a written complaint describing alleged unwanted physical contact between the teacher and the students. The police are scrutinizing every facet of the allegation and verifying the supporting documentation.

University Suspends Lecturer Pending Inquiry

Given the seriousness of the accusations, the university administration has placed Dr. Suryamani Bhandari on immediate suspension until the conclusion of the inquiry.

Institution Director P.B.V. Subramanyam explained that the lecturer has been relocated to the campus guest house to prevent any interference with the investigative process. Simultaneously, the university’s internal committee is conducting a parallel probe to ascertain the truth of the allegations.

"The safety of our students is non‑negotiable. We are cooperating fully with the police while ensuring a fair internal review," said Subramanyam.