JNU Professor Atul Johri would make mythological sexual connotations: Woman in FIR

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) professor Atul Johri accused of passing lewd remarks and harassing female students pursuing PhD under him did not join the investigation on Monday and has been served a notice to appear on Tuesday.

The woman in her complaint to the police stated that Johri would ask her uncomfortable questions and later give references to mythological sexual connotations. The statement of the woman, on whose complaint the case was filed, was recorded under Section 164 of the CrPc.

The woman in the FIR stated that she joined Johri's lab in 2013. Johri is a professor at School of Life Sciences. "His behaviour was way too friendly. He would ask personal questions and then joke about a God asking a Goddess for sexual favours. This was one of the few jokes he shared, among others,"the woman stated in the FIR. The woman further alleged that he would call her to discuss work in his office room and make her sit on the sofa and touch her inappropriately on her back and shoulders without her permission.

The woman said that she did not complain earlier thinking of her career and PhD, but when she read the news against Johri she mustered the courage to come forward. On one occasion, when the woman went to Johri asking for her synopsis he commented on her breasts instead. He even asked her to keep her assets in good shape. The victim then shared the unwelcomed gestures with her lab mates and after that Johri stopped paying attention to her work and instead made life miserable for her in the lab. "On one occasion Johri's wife had come to the lab and asked the students not to stay beyond 6 pm and not to engage beyond academic activities with the professor," the FIR stated.

The JNU professors on Monday demanded registration of separate FIRs in all the eight complaints of sexual harassment filed by the students against Johri. Besides the woman on whose complaint a case was registered, the police also recorded the statement of four more women students in front of the magistrate.

The statement of four students including the complainant were recorded on Monday.

The teachers said eight complaints were filed by as many women students, however, the Delhi Police chose to register only one FIR based on only one of the complaints. Eight complaints, each of which reports incidents that are distinct and separated by space and time, hence more cases should be registered. "We are looking into the complaints and legal action would be taken as per the complaint. Regarding adding of more sections, we would examine the complaint," said Milind Mahadeo Dumbre, DCP, South-West.

The JNU students protesting outside the police station alleged that they were injured by the police officials who hit them, however, Dumbre denied such allegations. Meanwhile, the Delhi Commission for Women served notices to both the registrar of JNU and SHO of Vasant Kunj in relation to the sexual harassment case.