Hathras college bars entry of professor acquitted in harassment case, accepts voluntary retirement

The management of Bagla Degree College in Hathras has accepted the voluntary retirement of professor Rajnish Kumar , who was recently acquitted in a sexual exploitation case , but has also decided to bar him from entering the college premises , officials said on Sunday.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the management committee of Bagla Degree College on Saturday and announced through a press statement. Kumar, a geography professor and former chief proctor , had submitted a request seeking voluntary retirement, which the committee approved.

Professor Mahavir Chhonkar, a faculty member, said Kumar had sought retirement on his own. The committee simultaneously resolved to prohibit his entry into the campus and conveyed the decision through the official statement.

Kumar’s counsel Virendra Chaudhary objected to the restriction, describing it as unjustified despite the professor being cleared by the court. He said the legal team would examine the order and may approach the high court .

A Hathras court had acquitted Kumar on March 24 , citing lack of evidence and the failure of alleged victims to support the prosecution during trial. The order was passed by Additional District Judge Mahendra Kumar , who held that the allegations could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt and did not rule out the possibility of fabricated evidence.

The case, widely known as the “Lachar Beti” case , surfaced in March 2025 after a complaint was sent to authorities and the National Commission for Women alleging that Kumar exploited female students by promising help with competitive exams and jobs.

Police registered a case at Hathras Gate police station and later arrested Kumar from Prayagraj after he allegedly went into hiding. However, during trial the women cited as victims retracted their allegations and the prosecution failed to establish the charges, leading to his acquittal.