Punjabi University PUTA president in deep water for threatening an eyewitness in sexual-harassment complaint
Kanwar Inder Sing/ royalpatiala.in News/ November 16, 2025
Punjabi University Teachers association (PUTA) president Bhupinder Singh Virk seems to have invited more trouble for himself as Virk has allegedly threatened an eye witness in an ongoing sexual harassment complaint.
As per available information, an Assistant Professor in Law, Punjab School of Law, Punjabi University Patiala’s female teacher Oliviya (name changed) had filed a complaint for ‘Continuous sexual harassment’ against the head, dean and PUTA president Bhupinder Singh Virk , and former head, registrar Varinder Kaushik with the Punjabi University ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Cell’.
On November 13,2025 Punjabi University ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Cell’ chairperson Prof Manruchi Kaur had invited both the parties to record their statements in the ongoing investigation under sexual harassment complaint. During the process, when an eyewitness Margret (name changed) was recording her statement in the complaint from the aggrieved side (Oliviya), Virk threatened him.
As per available information, the aggrieved party immediately dialed 112 and called Punjab Police to the university campus for help where the inquiry proceedings were going on. The police immediately reached the university campus. They alleged that “their life is under threat as PUTA president Bhupinder Singh Virk has openly threatened them in front of the chairperson and other members”.
When contacted Prof Manruchi , she admitted that the incident has happened when the inquiry was going on. She also added that she has not called the police as she has full faith in the university security. She further added that “she has also informed the VC and will record the incident in her inquiry report.” She further added that I can’t disclose more as it will hinder our inquiry .We are working on it and have to submit the inquiry report in 90 days.
When contacted the vice chancellor, Dr Jagdeep Singh, he said “the aggrieved faculty member has informed him telephonically. The case is with the sexual harassment cell and the head has all the details with her. The presiding officer of the sexual harassment cell has met him. I’ll act accordingly on the recommendation of the cell. I have no knowledge about the visit of Punjab police in the campus and the security in charge has also not informed me. All the details are with the sexual harassment cell”.
Meanwhile PUTA president Bhupinder Singh Virk against whom the allegations are leveled by an eyewitness in sexual harassment complaint could not be contacted despite repeated calls
