Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Professor Atul Johri was arrested on Tuesday by the Delhi Police and later granted bail by a Delhi court within a couple of hours after his arrest. Johri was arrested after female students pursuing Ph.D under him accused him of passing lewd remarks and harassing female students. A total of eight cases were registered against him.
Johri, a professor at School of Life Sciences, joined the probe on Tuesday after the Delhi Police served him a notice. He arrived at the RK Puram police station by 4 pm and was arrested over an hour later of his questioning. Johri was produced at a Delhi Court which granted him bail on a surety bond. One of the conditions imposed by the court was that he would not be allowed to meet any complainant.
Calling it a conspiracy against him RK Wadhva, lawyer of Johri said "This was a political conspiracy and he was made a scapegoat. The children used to work with the Professor. He had reprimanded them for their attendance and had asked them to attend classes. The students then conspired to complain against him,"
During his questioning Johri told the police that the allegations levied on him were baseless. Investigating officials stated that he claimed it was "revenge" after some girl students had made a video and clicked pictures of him while he was carrying out an inspection in the hostel.
A total of nine women students had approached the police in connection with allegations against Johri. One of the complainants backed out on Tuesday while the other eight stood by their claims. "The statement of the girl on whose complaint an FIR was registered was recorded under section 164 of the CrPc on Monday along with three other complainants. The statement of the remaining four women was recorded on Tuesday. Eight cases have been registered against him," said Milind Mahadeo Dumbre, DCP, South-West.
Despite Delhi Police serving him a notice Johri did not appear for questioning on Monday and was later picked up by the cops. He was first being taken to Vasant Kunj police station but after protests by the students he was questioned at RK Puram police station instead.
In her complaint to the police, the woman stated that Johri would ask her uncomfortable questions and later give references to mythological sexual connotations. "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.
On one occasion, when the woman went to Johri asking for her synopsis she claimed that he commented on her breasts instead. He even asked her to keep her "assets" in good shape.
The woman said that she did not complain earlier thinking of her career and Ph.D, but when she read the news against Johri she mustered the courage to come forward.
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The woman stated that Johri would ask her uncomfortable questions and give references to mythological sexual connotations. “His behaviour was way too friendly,” said in her FIR. On one occasion, she said Johri commented on her breasts
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 "A protest against Atul Johri")
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