An associate professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has appeared in court after being charged with two counts of indecent assault. The academic has denied both charges, and the case is now proceeding through Hong Kong’s legal system.
The accused, Peng Peng, 38, appeared before Sha Tin Court on Tuesday, where he formally entered not guilty pleas to the two charges.
According to court proceedings, the complainant is a fellow academic who had been exploring employment opportunities and relocation to Hong Kong. Prosecutors allege that the incidents occurred during interactions between the two scholars.
The complainant later reported the alleged incidents to authorities after discovering that the professor had allegedly concealed his marital status, according to the case presented in court.
The charges relate to alleged indecent assault offenses. Details of the specific allegations were not discussed in open court during the initial hearing.
As the criminal proceedings continue, the allegations remain unproven. Under Hong Kong law, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
According to the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s official website, Peng serves as an associate professor in the Department of Fine Arts. His academic profile states that he earned his doctoral degree from Princeton University and has specialized in art history and related research.
The university has not publicly commented on the ongoing court case or indicated whether any internal measures have been taken while legal proceedings continue.
The case has attracted attention within Hong Kong’s academic community because it involves a university faculty member and allegations connected to professional interactions between scholars.
Legal experts note that indecent assault charges in Hong Kong are handled through the criminal courts, where prosecutors must present evidence beyond a reasonable doubt before any conviction can be reached.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the court scheduled the case to continue through the normal judicial process. Additional hearings are expected as both the prosecution and defense prepare their evidence.
If the matter proceeds to trial, witnesses may be called to testify, and the court will examine the evidence presented by both sides before reaching a verdict.
The complainant’s identity has not been publicly disclosed, in line with legal and privacy protections commonly applied in cases involving alleged sexual offenses.
Universities in Hong Kong generally maintain policies covering professional conduct, workplace behavior, and the handling of complaints involving staff members. However, any institutional actions are separate from criminal proceedings and do not determine the outcome of a court case.
For now, the criminal case remains before the court, and no findings of fact have been made regarding the allegations.
Further hearings are expected in the coming weeks as the legal process continues. Until a final judgment is delivered, the charges remain allegations, and the court will determine the outcome based on the evidence presented during the proceedings.
