IIT Kanpur professor booked for domestic violence after wife's complaint
Synopsis
An IIT Kanpur professor has been booked after his wife — also a faculty member at the same institution — alleged domestic violence, physical assault, and surveillance of herself and their two children. The complaint details incidents spanning November 2025 to July 2026, including an alleged knife threat and injuries from an assault. Police have registered a case; allegations remain unverified.
Key Takeaways
IIT Kanpur professor Nishith Srivastava has been booked by Kalyanpur police following a domestic violence complaint filed by his wife.
The complainant is also a faculty member at IIT Kanpur , serving as an assistant professor .
Alleged incidents span from November 2025 to July 2026 , including an alleged knife threat on November 11, 2025 and a physical assault on January 15, 2026 .
The woman alleged her husband had inappropriate relationships with a PhD scholar in 2022 and a female professor since November 2025 .
Supporting documents submitted include injury photographs, CCTV records, and copies of prior complaints to IIT Kanpur officials.
The allegations have not yet been independently verified ; police investigation is underway.
An IIT Kanpur professor has been booked by Kalyanpur police following a complaint filed by his wife, who has alleged domestic violence, physical assault, mental harassment, and marital cruelty. The complainant is herself a faculty member at the same institution, serving as an assistant professor at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
Background and Allegations
According to the complaint, the woman married IIT Kanpur professor Nishith Srivastava in December 2012. The couple has two minor children. The complainant has alleged that she and her children have been living under constant mental stress and fear for the past several months due to her husband's alleged behaviour.
The woman has alleged that her husband was involved in a relationship with a married PhD scholar working under him in 2022. She has further alleged that since November 2025, he has been involved in another alleged inappropriate relationship with a female professor at the institution.
Incidents of Alleged Violence
The complainant has accused her husband of escalating aggression when she raised objections to the alleged relationships. She claimed that on November 11, 2025, he damaged household items, threw belongings, and destroyed her children's books during an argument — and allegedly threatened her with a kitchen knife during the same incident.
A second alleged incident occurred on January 15, 2026, when the woman claimed her husband assaulted her following a confrontation over the alleged relationship, resulting in injuries to her eye, ear, and head. A further dispute reportedly took place on July 5, 2026, when the accused allegedly attempted to enter the house against her wishes, prompting her to summon security personnel.
Surveillance and Supporting Evidence
The complainant has also alleged that CCTV cameras installed at the residence were being used to continuously monitor her and her children's movements. She has submitted supporting documents to the police, including photographs of alleged injuries, CCTV-related records, emails to the security department, and copies of complaints lodged with the IIT Kanpur police outpost and other officials.
Police Action and Current Status
Based on the complaint, Kalyanpur police have registered a case and commenced an investigation. The woman has sought legal action against her husband and requested protection for herself and her children. Notably, the allegations have not yet been independently verified, and the accused professor's response has not been reported. This case draws attention to workplace and domestic safety concerns within premier academic institutions, where power dynamics between faculty can complicate such matters.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to examine the documentary evidence submitted and record statements from both parties.
Point of View
The power dynamics — shared workplace, shared campus housing, overlapping professional networks — can make it significantly harder for the aggrieved party to seek redress through normal channels. The complainant's decision to approach the police rather than rely solely on institutional mechanisms suggests those internal channels may have been inadequate or unavailable. Premier institutions like IIT Kanpur must now grapple with whether their internal complaint committees are equipped to handle cases where the accused holds supervisory influence over PhD scholars who are also potential witnesses. The submission of CCTV records and injury photographs indicates a degree of documented evidence that investigators will need to assess carefully — but the absence of the accused's response in public reporting means the full picture remains incomplete.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the IIT Kanpur professor booked for domestic violence?
The professor booked is Nishith Srivastava , a faculty member at IIT Kanpur . His wife, also an assistant professor at the same institution, filed the complaint with Kalyanpur police alleging domestic violence, physical assault, and mental harassment.
What specific incidents has the complainant alleged?
The complainant has alleged multiple incidents: on November 11, 2025 , her husband allegedly damaged household items and threatened her with a kitchen knife; on January 15, 2026 , she alleged he physically assaulted her, causing injuries to her eye, ear, and head; and on July 5, 2026 , he allegedly attempted to enter the house against her wishes.
What action have the police taken?
Kalyanpur police have registered a case based on the complaint and commenced an investigation. The complainant has also requested protection for herself and her two minor children.
Have the allegations been verified?
No. As of the time of reporting, the allegations have not been independently verified. The accused professor's response has not been made public, and the investigation is ongoing.
What evidence has the complainant submitted?
The complainant has submitted photographs of alleged injuries, CCTV-related records, emails sent to the IIT Kanpur security department, and copies of earlier complaints filed with the IIT Kanpur police outpost and other officials.
