Srinagar, Dec 22, : The University of Kashmir has placed an assistant professor of the Department of Kashmiri under suspension in connection with an FIR registered at Police Station Nigeen, Hazratbal in summer capital Srinagar.
According to an official order issued by the university administration, Dr. Altaf Ahmad Ganie, also known by his pen name Shafqat Altaf, has been suspended with immediate effect pending enquiry. The suspension has been ordered under University Statute 3.16 (2) read with Regulation 12 (3) (IV).
The order states that during the period of suspension, the faculty member shall remain attached to the office of the Dean Research.
Sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com that on December 9, 2025, Police Station Nigeen received an application through electronic mode from a female Associate Professor (name withheld) of the University of Kashmir. In her complaint, the applicant alleged that Dr. Shafqat Altaf, Assistant Professor in the Department of Kashmiri, and Mr. Farooq Ahmad Malik, Assistant Professor in the Higher Education Department at Government Degree College Anantnag, had circulated false, defamatory, and obscene content about her on various social media platforms.
They said that the complainant alleged that the content was shared intentionally to damage her reputation and outrage her modesty, and that the acts had left her feeling threatened and intimidated.
On the basis of the complaint, FIR No. 108/2025 was registered at Police Station Nigeen under Sections 79 (Insulting the modesty of a woman), 351(2) (Criminal intimidation) (aggravated form), and 356(2) (Defamation through electronic or other means) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 67 (Publishing or transmitting obscene content in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act.
A police officer said that the investigation in the case is ongoing and that further legal action, as warranted under law, will be taken in due course. He added that the case will be pursued to its logical and conclusive end.
Meanwhile, a university official said that Vice Chancellor Professor Neelofar Khan has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against misconduct and malign campaigns in the university campus and has warned all university staff to refrain from any conduct that contravenes the rules and regulations of the institution.
He said the Vice Chancellor has directed legal and swift action against all such activities that damage the reputation and image of the university in the eyes of the public.
In the present case, he added, the Vice Chancellor personally ensured that the dignity of women employees remains the primary concern of the university and that the offenders are brought to justice without delay.
He further said that harassment of women at the workplace will be completely weeded out from the campus, and her consistent efforts are aimed at making the university a safer and more secure place for all, particularly women employees. (KDC)
