India, May 4 -- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar on Sunday suspended and placed an assistant professor on forced leave after a first-year PhD student accused him of physical assault and sexual harassment.

"IIT Ropar is fully aware of the incident reported by a PhD scholar. The institute acted within 24 hours. Internal complaints committee proceedings have already begun. The faculty member has been sent on forced leave," the institute said in a statement.

The action came after the PhD scholar took to social media on Saturday, alleging that her supervisor physically assaulted and intimidated her. She claimed that the faculty member punched her in the eye after she refused to comply with his demands.

In her post, the student all...