Lucknow University suspends professor over obscene NEET paper leak call to student
Synopsis
A Lucknow University professor allegedly offered a female NEET aspirant leaked exam papers in exchange for sexual favours — the audio went viral, ABVP students stormed the campus, and the professor is now in jail. The university's Executive Council has suspended him pending a full inquiry that could end in termination.
Key Takeaways
Dr Paramjit Singh , assistant professor in the Department of Zoology at Lucknow University , was suspended with immediate effect on 20 May .
Singh allegedly offered a B.Sc final-year student and NEET aspirant a leaked exam paper in exchange for sexual favours during a phone call.
An FIR was registered at Hasanganj Police Station ; Singh was arrested and sent to jail.
A three-member disciplinary committee found him prima facie guilty of four charges, including sexual exploitation, code-of-conduct violations, and mental harassment.
Singh has been given 15 days to submit a written explanation; failure to do so could result in termination of services .
Lucknow University has suspended Dr Paramjit Singh, an assistant professor in the Department of Zoology, with immediate effect following an obscene telephonic conversation with a female student in which he allegedly offered her a leaked NEET exam question paper in exchange for sexual favours. The decision was taken at the university's Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, 20 May, according to people familiar with the developments.
The Incident
Singh allegedly contacted a B.Sc final-year student who was also a NEET aspirant, and during a phone conversation purportedly told her: 'Darling, I have arranged the exam paper for you. Come back before the exam, and I will give it to you here.' The student, left in distress by the exchange, subsequently filed a complaint with the police. The audio clip of the conversation went viral, triggering widespread outrage on campus.
Police Action and FIR
Students affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a large protest on campus after the clip circulated. Based on a written complaint filed by the university's Controller of Examinations, an FIR was registered at Hasanganj Police Station on charges of paper leak. Singh was subsequently taken into custody and sent to jail the following day.
Internal Inquiry Findings
The university's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) investigated the student's charges and submitted its report to the Executive Council, which then constituted a three-member disciplinary inquiry committee. The interim report found Singh prima facie guilty of four serious charges — including attempts to sexually exploit the student by luring her with leaked exam papers, violating the Teachers' Code of Conduct, and causing mental harassment. Singh is also understood to have admitted before the ICC to sharing confidential examination-related information.
University's Response
The Lucknow University administration stated that Singh's conduct had caused 'severe damage to the university's credibility, social standing, and academic integrity.' Singh has been directed to submit a written explanation within 15 days. The university's notice carries a stern warning that failure to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated timeframe could result in termination of services.
What Comes Next
The suspension is currently interim, with the disciplinary process ongoing. The professor faces the prospect of permanent dismissal if the full inquiry upholds the committee's prima facie findings. The case has reignited concerns about faculty accountability in Indian universities and the broader vulnerability of high-stakes examinations such as NEET to misconduct.
Point of View
Deeper investigation — one that goes beyond the individual misconduct charge. Universities routinely treat such cases as internal disciplinary matters, but when a faculty member is allegedly in possession of a national-level competitive exam paper, the question of how it was obtained cannot be left to a university inquiry alone. The 15-day show-cause window, while procedurally correct, risks appearing lenient given that the accused is already in judicial custody.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Dr Paramjit Singh suspended from Lucknow University?
Dr Paramjit Singh was suspended after an audio clip surfaced in which he allegedly offered a female NEET aspirant a leaked exam paper in exchange for sexual favours. The university's Executive Council suspended him with immediate effect following a disciplinary inquiry that found him prima facie guilty of four serious charges.
What charges has Dr Paramjit Singh been booked under?
An FIR was registered at Hasanganj Police Station on charges of paper leak, based on a complaint by the university's Controller of Examinations. The internal disciplinary committee also found him prima facie guilty of attempting to sexually exploit a student, violating the Teachers' Code of Conduct, and causing mental harassment.
What happens next in the case against Singh?
Singh has been directed to submit a written explanation within 15 days. If his response is deemed unsatisfactory, the university has warned that it could proceed to terminate his services. The criminal case filed at Hasanganj Police Station is also ongoing.
What role did ABVP play in this case?
Students affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a large protest on the Lucknow University campus after the audio clip of Singh's conversation with the student went viral, escalating pressure on the university administration to act.
Did the professor admit to the charges?
According to reports, Singh is understood to have admitted before the Internal Complaints Committee to having shared confidential examination-related information, which formed part of the basis for the disciplinary committee's prima facie finding of guilt.
