An assistant professor from the University of Lucknow has been arrested after allegations surfaced that he made objectionable phone calls to a female student and falsely claimed to have leaked examination papers for her, triggering a major campus controversy and a police investigation on examination malpractice and harassment charges.

Police said the accused, identified as Paramjeet Singh, a 40-year-old assistant professor in the Zoology Department, was taken into custody late Friday night from the university campus after an FIR was registered based on a complaint from the examination controller.

According to officials, Singh allegedly contacted a BSc final-year student on the nights of May 14 and 15 and pressured her to meet him ahead of an examination. The case escalated after purported audio clips of the conversation went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.

What do the viral audio clips reveal in the case?

In the widely circulated recordings, the accused is allegedly heard telling the student that her exam paper had been “leaked” and urging her to meet him to collect it.

The audio includes statements such as, “Darling, your paper has been leaked. Come from your home before the exam, and we will give you the paper here,” according to the transcript of the clip being shared online.

After the call, the student is reportedly heard refusing to accept the paper and alleging that the professor was calling her under false pretenses to meet privately and harass her.

Singh, however, has denied all allegations. Speaking before his arrest, he claimed he was being targeted due to “internal politics” within the university and among students.

“I completely reject these allegations. I am being targeted and trapped in this matter because of internal politics of the university,” he told PTI.

How did the University of Lucknow respond?

Following the controversy, the University of Lucknow launched an internal inquiry through its Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) and adopted a “zero tolerance” stance on the matter.

University officials confirmed that the ICC has completed its preliminary inquiry and prepared a report, which will now be placed before an emergency meeting of the Executive Council scheduled for Monday. Further disciplinary action is expected after the meeting.

A university spokesperson said strict action will be taken if the allegations are proven. Department officials also stated that the audio recordings had been reviewed and appeared to be linked to the accused.

Chief Proctor Prof Rakesh Dwivedi said the examination controller filed the FIR after receiving multiple audio recordings related to the alleged conversation. A pen drive containing the recordings was also submitted to police as evidence.

Hasanganj police confirmed that an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Ordinance, 2024, along with provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and they are also examining whether any examination papers were actually leaked, as the accused allegedly claimed in the audio clips.

Preliminary findings, according to police and university officials, suggest that the audio recordings are connected to the assistant professor.

With PTI inputs