Delhi University cancels PhD of scholar who assaulted professor, bans him for 3 years
Delhi University has cancelled the PhD registration of Shubham Singh, a research scholar at its Faculty of Law, following an enquiry into the alleged assault on a senior professor. The university has also barred him from entering its premises and appearing for any examination or seeking admission to the university or its affiliated colleges for three years.
The decision, communicated through an order issued by the Proctor's Office on November 13 (Ref. No. PCTO/2026/1145), comes after an independent enquiry into the physical assault on Professor Anupam Jha, a senior professor at Law Centre-II, on August 17, 2026.
The university's action goes beyond the suspension imposed immediately after the incident, bringing Singh's PhD registration to an end and restricting his association with the institution for the next three years.CCTV FOOTAGE, MEDICAL REPORT UNDER SCANNER
According to the university's order, the incident took place around 10.30 am near the entrance gate of Umang Bhawan. CCTV footage showed Singh waiting near the gate before approaching Jha and allegedly attacking him in full public view. Other students present at the spot attempted to intervene.
Following the incident, the university suspended Singh under Ordinance XV-B, prohibited his entry into the campus and constituted an Independent Enquiry Committee to examine the matter.
The committee examined CCTV footage, the medico-legal report, the complaint submitted by Professor Jha and the statement of the Dean of the Faculty of Law.
In its findings, the panel noted that Singh had been involved in repeated instances of misconduct. It said the August 17 incident should not be treated as an isolated episode but considered in the context of his previous disciplinary record.
The committee also pointed out that Professor Jha did not have any direct academic supervisory relationship with Singh. It found no background that could justify the scholar's alleged misconduct.COMMITTEE FLAGS ABUSIVE RESPONSES
The enquiry committee strongly recommended a zero-tolerance approach towards aggression and violence on the university campus.
It also condemned the language Singh used in his responses to the panel, describing it as vulgar and inappropriate. The committee included senior professors and a woman faculty member.
The order further stated that Singh was given several opportunities to explain his position and submit a representation. The university contacted him through emails sent on August 31, September 1, September 29 and October 6, besides making phone calls.
However, he failed to submit proper clarification or representation despite these opportunities. In one of his responses, he allegedly used abusive and derogatory language.
After considering the committee's findings, the Competent Authority accepted its recommendations. The order states that all three measures β cancellation of Singh's PhD registration, a ban on entering university premises and debarment from admissions and examinations β take effect immediately.TEACHERS' BODY HAD DEMANDED STRONGER ACTION
The August 17 incident had earlier drawn criticism from the Democratic Teachers' Front, which described it as part of a wider pattern of aggression against teachers.
The teachers' organisation had demanded stronger action against Singh, arguing that a suspension alone would not be sufficient.
An FIR was also registered at the Maurice Nagar police station in connection with the incident.
Reports following the assault had linked the confrontation to an earlier PhD admission interview in which Professor Jha was part of the selection panel.
With the latest order, Delhi University has now imposed disciplinary action that affects Singh's research registration, campus access and eligibility to pursue admission or appear in examinations at the institution for three years.- EndsRead | Caught on CCTV: Delhi University scholar waits for professor, slaps him on campusRead | Rs 161 crore Delhi University loan under fire as Rs 221 crore grant remains unused
