In a landmark decision, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has dismissed Professor Zillur Rahman from the Department of Management Studies following a sexual harassment complaint filed by a Ph.D. student. This is the first time such a stringent action has been taken by the institute in a case of this nature.

The complaint was lodged by a female Ph.D. student who alleged that Professor Rahman sought sexual favors in exchange for academic progress. The student bravely stood her ground and filed a formal complaint against him. The incident has ignited discussions about the safety and security of female students on campus and the actions taken by the IIT administration in response to such allegations.

Following the complaint, IIT Roorkee initiated an internal inquiry into the matter. Professor Rahman was given opportunities to present his case and defend himself against the accusations. After a thorough investigation, the Board of Governors reached a consensus and approved his dismissal.

Notably, IIT-Roorkee has faced similar allegations in the past. In December 2018, two IIT-Roorkee students and a foreign scholar accused five professors of sexual harassment. A research student alleged harassment and caste slurs by her supervisor, also claiming inaction by the IIT-Roorkee director and dean. Another student reported the issue to the police. In July 2024, an IIT-Roorkee professor faced trial for alleged sexual offenses against his son, following the dismissal of his petitions by the Uttarakhand High Court. His wife had accused him of unnatural sex and showing pornographic content to their minor son, with the incidents occurring between 2015 and 2017.

The dismissal of Professor Rahman sends a strong message that IIT Roorkee is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for its students and staff. It underscores the institution's zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and its determination to take decisive action against perpetrators. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of creating robust mechanisms for reporting and addressing sexual harassment in academic institutions and ensuring that victims are provided with the necessary support and resources.