Indian professor accused of raping Bangladeshi student; sends death threats via SMS

A Bangladeshi student has come out with rape and life threat allegations against an Indian university professor.

On Monday, the West Bengal Commission for Women said that it had taken note of the alleged crimes and action will be taken if the allegations are found to be true after police investigation, reports NDTV.

In an interview with PTI, Commission chairperson Leena Gangopadhyay said she has spoken to all concerned, including the complainant - a woman student residing in a hostel of a state-run university on Saturday.

The members of the commission recommended to the police that all the points referred to in the woman's complaint, including the alleged life threat sent to her by the accused via SMS, be examined, says NDTV.

In the complaint, the post-graduate student stated that the accused had raped her at her cabin at a private hospital where she had been admitted after her "death by suicide attempt" as their relationship had turned sour.

"Apart from our members who had met her personally, I have interacted with her more than once over the phone and heard her views."

"We have also been informed by her that when she lodged a complaint with police, she got a threat via SMS allegedly from the professor. We know that the accused was arrested and then got bail. We have nothing to comment about the judicial process, but will ensure that the complaints are investigated thoroughly by the police. If the charges are found to be true, the accused should be punished as per law," Gangopadhyay said.

However, some inconsistencies were discovered in the alleged incident of rape at the nursing home and the claims of the university authorities, according to the chairperson of the commission.

"We want to ensure the security of the girl student. We have sent certain recommendations to the police and university to see that no physical harm is done to her," she said.

A spokesperson of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission said "We have received an official complaint from the student. We have forwarded the same to the university authorities and the police urging them to look into the issue, examine the complaint and take suitable action."

The student concerned has 18 months left to complete the course.

He said the university will extend all cooperation to the investigating authorities and take appropriate action if the charges are proven correct.

"As of now we don't have anything else to comment on the alleged incident," he said.

The name of the accused, who got anticipatory bail after lodging the complaint last week, was withheld as investigations were on.