Kanpur, Nov 19 (IANS): A case has been registered here against four Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) professors under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, an official said on Monday.

The case has been filed by Subrahmanyam Saderla, an assistant professor of the Aerospace Department, against four of his colleagues -- professors Ishan Sharma, Sanjay Mittal, Rajeev Shekhar and Chandrashekhar Upadhyaya -- accusing them of making casteist comments.

The Board of Governors has already found the quartet guilty of mocking, mental torture and intimidation.

In his complaint, Saderla alleged that he had applied for a job in July 2017 and was given his appointment letter on December 28, 2017 after clearance by external experts.

He joined IIT-K as assistant professor this January 1, he told the police in his complaint.

He went on to allege that during a symposium on January 4, Sanjay Mittal made a derogatory comment on him after which his appointment was questioned.

He had thereafter made a complaint to the state SC/ST Commission which was heard on April 10 and orders were issued against the four professors.

The accused professors however went to the High Court where the obtained a stay.