#MeToo snares IISc professor

The prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, is set to take "strict action" against a professor who was accused of sexual misconduct by a PhD candidate.

The case was taken up earlier this month and the IISc Council has "taken the view that it may be best to ask the academic to leave the institute in the light of the allegations made by the student," according to an ET report. The Council is one of the bodies governing the institution.

The name of the professor concerned is being withheld as the "investigation is still officially underway". The student "accused the scientist of making sexually coloured remarks" and "harassing her with repeated late-night phone calls," says a report in The Print.

"The Council had decided in favour of sacking" the academic despite his reputation, says the ET report. "He is listed among the top 1% of scientists by the ISI Web of Knowledge and is serving in senior editorial capacities across several top-rated science journals."

The accused professor is a recipient of the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, IISc Excellence Award in Teaching and Research and a J.C. Bose National Fellow. He has also received fellowships from several institutes. The #MeToo movement has risen in India with allegations of sexual harassment and rape from victims in various industries and new accusations revealed almost daily.