Gaya: A PhD research scholar from the Bioinformatics department at Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) has accused her supervisor of sexual harassment. The student has been on a protest in the university premises since Thursday night, demanding justice, with support from other students. She alleges that the university administration is not only ignoring her demands but has also subjected her to indecent behavior and assault under the cover of darkness.

According to the complainant, she enrolled in the university in 2019 and accused her supervisor, Professor Ashish Shankar, of sexual harassment in 2023. Following this complaint, the university administration revoked her admission. The student then approached the Patna High Court, which reinstated her admission in 2026. She was assigned a new supervisor, but that supervisor was suspended within just one month. The student claims that the university administration is conspiring to waste her time and harass her.

The student stated that Professor Ashish Shankar would insist she wear clothes of his choice, particularly tight jeans, and pressure her to spend hours in his cabin. She also mentioned that the professor pressured her regarding her demeanor and to stay in contact via video calls. When she refused to comply, she alleges he sabotaged her career, stating that otherwise, she would have been an Assistant Professor today.

The student informed that the matter has not yet gone to the police or lower courts. She filed complaints with the National Commission for Women (NCW) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on September 28 and is prepared to approach the Supreme Court if justice is not served.

Her main demands include permission for pre-PhD submission, public disclosure of the sexual harassment inquiry report, formal retraction of false theft allegations, and prompt reinstatement of her guide or a permanent solution.