The police registered a case under SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act against Krishna University (KRU) Registrar in-charge, N Usha, for allegedly abusing and insulting an assistant professor, J N Lavanya Latha, on account of her caste near Vijayawada on Monday.

Though the incident happened on Friday, the issue came into light only on Monday after Usha appeared before the investigating officer. According to Inaguduru police, the assistant professor from the Department of Biotechnology, J N Lavanya Latha (37), approached the police on September 17 and lodged a complaint against the registrar alleging that she is insulting her in the name of caste and criticising her work.

She further mentioned that Usha threatened to remove her job in the university. "Targeting people like us, in-charge registrar Usha is trying to display her highhandedness in the university. With her 'divide and rule policy', the university staff got separated into various groups based on caste and favouritism," the complainant Latha alleged. Following her complaint, police visited the university and tried to sort out the issue but in vain. "A case has been registered and the investigation is on. We are collecting evidence from the staff to ascertain the allegations levelled against the registrar," said the Inaguduru police.