A senior professor at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) was arrested by the Cyberabad police on charges of outraging the modesty of a foreign student

police confirmed Saturday, even as students gathered at the main gate to stage a protest, seeking the safety of girl students on campus.

The foreign student, who spoke only in her native language, was allegedly invited to the residence of the professor in the vicinity of the university campus late Friday evening as the latter insisted on sharing a book.

“He called her home on the pretext of giving her a book. He offered alcohol and she protested. There was no one else at home,” she said. “As of now, it is a case of outraging the modesty of the student. We are investigating.

Unfortunately, she speaks only her native language,” the DCP added. The police are hoping to get more details by getting a person who speaks the student’s language.

A case was registered against the accused professor under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code. “He is under arrest and is being sent to judicial remand,” the DCP said.

Further, the union added, “Despite the severity of the issue, the registrar ignored all the calls and preferred to sleep peacefully at his home while the student community gathered in support of the student the entire night.

When contacted, a university spokesperson said that the varsity administration has called for a meeting and would issue a statement post the meeting.