Indian professor sentenced for sexual assault

Two days before his scheduled trial, an Indian professor in the United States pleaded no contest and was sentenced to 60 days' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a student.

Lancaster County District Court Judge Steven D Burns accepted the plea of Debasis Chaudhuri, a former visiting professor to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, to misdemeanour sexual assault on Monday, The Lincoln Journal Star reported.

Under county good-time guidelines, Chaudhuri, 42, could be released in 42 days.

In addition, Burns gave the computer science and engineering professor credit for 16 days he has already spent in custody.

Chaudhuri, an Indian citizen who began teaching at the university in August 2003, said, "I lost my mind."

According to prosecutors, one of Chaudhuri's students came to his office on the university campus on October 9, 2003 to talk about grades.

At Monday's hearing, Chaudhuri admitted fondling her against her will, the report said.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Bruce Prenda told Burns that Chaudhuri told police the student was at fault because her provocative dress caused him to lose control of himself.

Chaudhuri, seated next to his attorney, answered softly while being asked by Burns throughout the hearing whether he understood the proceedings.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to seek dismissal of the more serious charge against Chaudhuri, attempted first-degree sexual assault. That charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors also sought dismissal of an additional charge of misdemeanour false imprisonment, the report said.