Tripura Human Rights Commission Recommends Action Against Former NLU Tripura Professor, Seeks His Removal From Teaching Duties
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, August 31, 2026
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC), Kunjaban, Agartala, has passed an interim order in Complaint No. 45 of 2026 concerning allegations of inappropriate conduct, harassment and other serious complaints against Prof. Dr. Nachiketa Mittal, associated with the National Law University, Tripura (NLU Tripura). The Commission has recommended a series of interim measures, including preventing Dr. Mittal from being appointed as a professor or holding any other position in law universities until the final disposal of the complaint.
The order was passed on August 14, 2026, after the Commission examined an Investigation Wing report dated July 28, 2026, statements recorded from witnesses and other material placed before it. The Commission also took on record communications from Dr. Dipikanta Chakraborty and Dr. Debasree Debnath, relating to a rejoinder published on tripurainfo.com on July 29, 2026.
According to the order, the THRC examined the Investigation Wing's report prepared under Section 14(4) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, along with statements of witnesses recorded during the investigation.
The Commission observed that the report portrayed an "unfortunate, unwanted and unwarranted atmosphere" at NLU Tripura during the tenure of Prof. Dr. Nachiketa Mittal. The Investigation Wing had interacted with a number of students and faculty members, several of whom allegedly spoke about inappropriate conduct and sexual-abuse-related concerns involving Dr. Mittal.
The order records that, despite the seriousness of the allegations, many students did not come forward with written statements, apparently because they were concerned about their future prospects at the university and feared professional or academic consequences.
Among the witnesses whose statements were considered by the Commission were Smt. Debika (name changed), Assistant Professor, Ms. Dipika (name changed), Assistant Professor and Ms. Manika (name changed), Assistant Professor. The order states that these names were changed for maintaining dignity and privacy.
The Commission recorded allegations that Dr. Mittal had behaved inappropriately towards female faculty members and students. In the statement attributed to Smt. Debika, she said she joined NLU Tripura on August 28, 2023, and was appointed Chairperson of the Internal Complaint Committee. She reportedly stated that she had been informed about inappropriate behaviour by Dr. Mittal and had advised a PhD scholar to lodge a complaint with the university's Internal Complaints Committee.
The order further records allegations concerning a first-year BA, LLB student who reportedly complained about repeated conduct that ultimately led her to discontinue her studies at the university. The Commission noted that the identity of the student was not disclosed in the order for maintaining dignity.
The order also refers to Ms. Sangeeta (name changed), described as a PhD scholar. According to the statement recorded by the Investigation Wing, she was unwilling to lodge a complaint against Dr. Mittal because she feared that doing so could adversely affect her ability to complete her PhD.
The Commission's order records her allegation that Dr. Mittal suddenly came outside her rented house at around 1:30 am and asked her to meet him, although she allegedly refused to come out. The order says her identity was not disclosed in the relevant portion to maintain the dignity of the PhD scholar.
A significant part of the order deals with the statement of Prof. Dr. Yogesh Pratap Singh, Vice-Chancellor of NLU Tripura.
The Commission says that the Vice-Chancellor came forward to give a statement and that, from his statement, it appeared he was aware of complaints concerning Dr. Mittal's conduct towards female faculty members and students. The order states that Dr. Mittal discussed the matter with the Vice-Chancellor and admitted his mistakes.
The Commission also questioned why the Vice-Chancellor allegedly did not take effective action against Dr. Mittal despite being aware of the complaints. According to the order, this was one of the central issues considered by the Commission.
The statement of Ms. Dipika, Assistant Professor, was also considered. The order records that she corroborated several allegations made by Smt. Debika and described Dr. Mittal as allegedly manipulative and intimidating.
The Investigation Wing also recorded allegations that Dr. Mittal sent inappropriate text messages to students and that students were scared of him. The order further records allegations of work pressure and other conduct that faculty members considered inappropriate.
The Commission also examined the statement of Ms. Manika, Assistant Professor. According to the order, she had earlier been impressed by Dr. Mittal's academic reputation and joined NLU Tripura.
She alleged that Dr. Mittal pressured her through an excessive workload and that she experienced significant physical and mental stress. The order says she eventually developed serious health problems and was admitted to GBP Hospital in Agartala, followed by tests at ILS Hospital, Agartala. The order records that she was diagnosed with diabetes, including hypertension, and that she stated the illness was not suffered by other members of her family.
The Commission also records her allegation concerning an incident at the Circuit House, Agartala, where she said Dr. Mittal asked her to spend the night with him. The order states that she refused and later felt depressed and believed that she had made a serious mistake by joining NLU Tripura.
The THRC order says the Investigation Wing collected Call Data Records (CDRs) relating to telephone conversations involving Dr. Mittal. According to the Commission, the records revealed facts which it considered relevant to the allegations.
The Commission noted that Dr. Mittal, in his statement, denied the allegations made by the victim witnesses and stated that his relationship with the PhD scholar, Ms. Sangeeta, and other faculty members was professional. However, after examining the witness statements alongside the CDR material, the Commission concluded that Dr. Mittal's version did not fully correspond with the statements and other material before it.
The order also raises a serious legal dimension involving Ms. Manika, stating that she belongs to a Scheduled Tribe. The Commission referred to the definition of victim under Section 2(ec) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The Commission observed that, based on the allegations concerning the incident at the Circuit House, the conduct attributed to Dr. Mittal could attract the relevant provisions of the 1989 Act.
After considering the investigation report, witness statements and call-data records, the Commission said it had formed a prima facie view that the allegations required serious consideration.
The Commission stated that, in its assessment, firstly, one person is enough to spoil the sanctity, integrity and dignity of an institution", and observed that Dr. Mittal appeared to be such a person in the circumstances discussed in the order.
The Commission further stated that the Vice-Chancellor had allegedly been aware of the situation and questioned why the voices of the victims were not adequately addressed.
Based on its prima facie assessment, the THRC recommended the following interim measures:
The Vice-Chancellor of NLU Tripura was directed to circulate the Commission's order to the National Law Universities throughout India, as well as other law universities in the country, including those in Tripura, requesting that Prof. Dr. Nachiketa Mittal not be appointed as a professor of law or in any other capacity until final disposal of the complaint.
The Secretary, Higher Education, Government of Tripura was directed to take all necessary steps to ensure that punitive action is taken against Dr. Mittal.
A copy of the order was directed to be forwarded to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories.
A copy was directed to be forwarded to the Secretary, Higher Education, all States and Union Territories, including Tripura.
Another copy was directed to be forwarded to the Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Kartavya Bhawan-2, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, for information and necessary action.
A copy was also directed to be sent to the Secretary General, National Human Rights Commission, Manav Adhikar Bhawan, Block-C, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi, for information.
The Commission directed the Vice-Chancellor, National Law University, Tripura, to inform it about the action taken on the Commission's directions on or before the next date.
The Commission fixed the matter for a date three weeks later and directed that Prof. Dr. Nachiketa Mittal appear before it and apprise the Commission of whether he wished to cross-examine any of the witnesses. The order sheet records the matter for 11 September 2026.
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