Student’s Alleged Harassment by Female Lecturer Sparks Protests and Investigation in Visakhapatnam

Tension erupted at Samatha Degree College in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, November 1, 2025, after a large number of students and the parents of 20-year-old Sai Teja staged a fierce protest, alleging that harassment by a female lecturer led to his tragic suicide. The incident has sparked public outrage and renewed discussions on student welfare, harassment, and institutional accountability in educational spaces.

Details of the Incident

According to the protestors, Sai Teja, a final-year B.Sc. student at Samatha College, had been facing persistent mental and sexual harassment by a female lecturer. Teja reportedly confided in his parents about his troubles with the lecturer, claiming that she had been placing undue pressure on him regarding his exams and repeatedly harassing him over his assignments. He also revealed that the lecturer had been refusing to sign necessary documents, forcing him to run errands to get them signed.

On October 31, his parents visited the college to discuss these issues with the management. However, while his parents were at the college, Sai Teja was found dead at home, having taken his own life by hanging. The sudden and tragic turn of events fueled widespread anger among the student body and the family.

Protests and Demands for Justice

In the aftermath of Sai Teja’s death, his family and fellow students gathered at the college gates, demanding justice. They accused the college management of being unresponsive to their concerns and the ongoing harassment. The protesters attempted to force their way into the college premises, clashing with the police who were stationed to control the situation.

The family and students are demanding that the female lecturer be arrested and that the college management be held accountable for failing to address the harassment. Despite the continuing protests, the college management has yet to issue a statement responding to the allegations.

Police Investigation Underway

The MVP police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into Sai Teja’s suicide. Authorities are in the process of retrieving call data records to uncover the extent of the harassment and any potential communications between Sai Teja and the lecturer.

In an effort to manage the situation, the police intervened in the protest, attempting to calm the demonstrators. However, tensions remained high as family members and students argued with the police, demanding immediate justice.

According to ACP Annapu Narasimha, a digital investigation is underway, including a detailed probe by the Cyber Crime and Women’s Cell. The authorities have also sent the case to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for further examination. While the investigation is in its early stages, ACP Narasimha assured the family that they would be kept informed of all developments.

The Background: Allegations of Harassment

Sai Teja’s parents claim that their son had informed them about continuous harassment by his lecturer. He alleged that she was unfairly grading his exams, repeatedly asking him to rewrite assignments and even pressuring him to get signatures from others for documents.

When his parents visited the lecturer’s house to get the documents signed, they found no indication of what was to come. Sai Teja, feeling isolated and pressured by the continuous harassment, ended his life at home. His parents have publicly stated that the harassment, particularly the frequent messages from the female lecturer, was the catalyst for their son’s drastic decision.

The Call for Accountability

As the investigation continues, the incident has highlighted severe gaps in how educational institutions handle harassment complaints. Students and their families are calling for greater oversight, clearer grievance mechanisms, and quicker responses to allegations of harassment.

Moreover, the incident underscores the need for educational institutions to protect students from mental, emotional, and sexual harassment by faculty members, ensuring that such cases are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.

Conclusion: A Sensitive Case with Far-Reaching Implications

The tragic death of Sai Teja has brought attention to issues of harassment, institutional neglect, and the lack of support systems for students facing such pressures. As the investigation progresses, both the police and the college are under intense scrutiny. This case could become a turning point in how educational institutions across the country address harassment and support student well-being.

India Prime Times will continue to follow the case and provide updates on the investigation, the college’s response, and the wider implications of this incident for student safety and institutional accountability.