Delhi University Cancels PhD Registration, Imposes 3-Year Campus Ban Over Assault Charge
By TUF News Desk · Published 13 November 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Delhi University has cancelled the PhD registration of a law scholar and barred him from entering the campus for three years. The order, confirmed on November 13 through the university Proctor’s Office, ends a disciplinary case that began with an alleged assault on a professor in August.
Shubham Singh, a PhD scholar in the Faculty of Law, is also barred from taking admission or appearing in any examination of the University of Delhi or its affiliated colleges for three years. The university said the action followed an inquiry into the August incident and the scholar’s conduct during the proceedings.
What happened on August 17
Professor Anupam Jha, a senior professor in the Faculty of Law, reported the incident to the vice-chancellor on August 17, 2026, alleging that Singh had physically assaulted him on campus. The university suspended Singh from his PhD programme the same day and barred his entry to university premises under Ordinance XV-B of the Delhi University Act, 1922.
Delhi Police registered an FIR at Maurice Nagar police station, and an investigation is underway. The university’s disciplinary action is separate from the police case.
The inquiry that followed
The university set up an independent enquiry committee to look into the complaint. The committee contacted Singh by email on August 31, 2026, for an online interaction and received no reply. It wrote again on September 1. Singh replied on September 2, and the official document quoted by Careers360 describes that reply as using “abusive and derogatory language”. The university said he did not answer phone calls either, and gave no comments or clarification on the incident itself.
The committee examined the CCTV footage, the documentary records, Professor Jha’s complaint, the medico-legal case report and a written statement from the dean of the Faculty of Law. It submitted its report on September 9, 2026, recommending zero tolerance towards aggression and other forms of misconduct, and urging steps to keep the campus safe and respectful for students and staff.
Before the final decision, the Proctor’s Office shared the committee’s report and recommendations with Singh and gave him seven days to respond. No response came within that period, the university said. The final order then cancelled his registration and imposed the three-year campus ban.
What this means for research students
The order ends Singh’s PhD and keeps him out of admissions and examinations at the university and its colleges for three years. For students weighing a research degree, it is a reminder that conduct rules cover research scholars too. Our guide to choosing a university in India sets out what to compare when weighing research programmes, including supervision, facilities and support services.
Students can check notices on the official University of Delhi website.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Delhi University cancel the PhD registration?
After an inquiry into the alleged assault of August 17, 2026, and the scholar’s conduct during the proceedings, the Proctor’s Office cancelled his registration and imposed a three-year campus ban.
How long does the ban last?
Three years. During that period he cannot enter Delhi University premises, take admission, or appear in any examination of the university or its affiliated colleges.
Did the student get a chance to respond?
Yes. The committee contacted him by email on August 31 and September 1, 2026, and the Proctor’s Office later shared the report with him and gave him seven days to reply. The university said no response was received.
What happened on August 17, 2026?
Professor Anupam Jha reported an alleged physical assault by the scholar to the vice-chancellor. Singh was suspended from his PhD the same day, and police registered an FIR at Maurice Nagar police station.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Delhi University cancel the PhD registration?
After an inquiry into the alleged assault of August 17, 2026, and the scholar's conduct during the proceedings, the Proctor's Office cancelled his registration and imposed a three-year campus ban.
How long does the ban last?
Three years. During that period he cannot enter Delhi University premises, take admission, or appear in any examination of the university or its affiliated colleges.
Did the student get a chance to respond?
Yes. The committee contacted him by email on August 31 and September 1, 2026, and the Proctor's Office later shared the report with him and gave him seven days to reply. The university said no response was received.
What happened on August 17, 2026?
Professor Anupam Jha reported an alleged physical assault by the scholar to the vice-chancellor. Singh was suspended from his PhD the same day, and police registered an FIR at Maurice Nagar police station.
Sources: Careers360, The News Mill, The Times of India