AGRA: A letter detailing the harrowing ordeal of an anonymous complainant, sent in the name of 'lachar beti (helpless daughter)', has led to the arrest of a senior professor at a govt-funded college in UP and disclosure of "sexual exploitation and rape of several students for years on promise of job opportunities, better exam scores and threats of circulating obscene videos of them".
Rajneesh Kumar, 59, head of geography department and chief proctor of the college in Hathras district, was held in Prayagraj's Civil Lines on Wednesday night while he was trying to secure anticipatory bail, police said.
The complainant addressed the letter to "higher authorities" and senior cops in Lucknow and Hathras and president of National Commission for Women. Sent by post a few days ago, the single page letter in Hindi had a CD attached with videos and photos purportedly showing the professor touching and kissing girl students.
"With a deep sense of pain and helplessness I bring to your attention the atrocities being committed by Rajneesh. This man has been sexually exploiting me, and many of my former and current female classmates. On the pretext of providing academic support and promising jobs, he traps girls, forcing them into shameful acts while secretly recording videos. He then uses these clips to exploit them," the complainant said.
"For over a year now, I've been pleading for justice and filing complaints at various levels. Despite my repeated efforts, no action has been taken. It appears Rajneesh enjoys protection from influential people. The trauma inflicted by this man has pushed me to the brink of despair. There have been times when I felt life was no longer worth living. Even so, I've gathered the courage to submit evidence - photos and videos - that expose his crimes."
The complainant went on to say, "I've got no choice but to keep my identity hidden, I fear for my life. The man and his accomplices, including college authorities, are all dangerous people. I plead with you to act swiftly and decisively. Protect the dignity of students like me who have suffered in silence...Yours Lachar Beti."
A copy of the letter has been accessed by TOI.
Taking cognisance, an internal probe was subsequently launched and the professor was suspended on March 16, an official at the college said.
Police, meanwhile, started an investigation. "At least seven girl students were raped by the accused, as per preliminary probe," said a police officer, privy to the case.
A case was registered against the professor under BNS sections 64-2 (rape), 68 (sexual intercourse by a person in authority) and 75 (sexual harassment), along with IT Act, at Hathras Gate police station last week, following a complaint by SI Sunil Kumar.
Hathras (SP) Chiranjeevi Nath Sinha said on Thursday Rajneesh was held during a joint operation by cops from Hathras Gate thana, SOG, surveillance and cyber team.
During interrogation, the professor confessed to devising the sinister plan. He also disclosed that his criminal intent began after an intimate encounter with a woman - initially intended for marriage - was accidentally recorded on his computer's webcam. Watching the footage gave him the desire to "manipulate and exploit young women for sexual gratification", he told police.
Using his position of power to promise career benefits in exchange for sexual favours, he started targeting female students and a contractual woman employee. It all began in 2019, police said.
The accused used sophisticated software on his phone and laptop to secretly record videos while appearing inactive on screen, leaving his victims unaware. Police said , he used these recordings to blackmail and continue his exploitation even after the students graduated.
SP Sinha said, "We've collected some materials from college records. The dots will be connected and the evidence will be scientifically preserved and presented before court. We're working with cyber cell's technical intelligence team."
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)