PhD student molested in JNU campus

New Delhi: A Ph.D. student of Jawaharlal Nehru University was allegedly molested while walking in the campus around midnight on Monday, sparking a protest by students and bringing into the spotlight again the issue of security in the vast complex.

Police said that a case has been registered and several teams are working to nab the accused.

They said a PCR call regarding a female student being molested inside JNU was received at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station at around 12.45 AM on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Gaurav Sharma along with SHO Vasant Kunj North and staff rushed to the spot.

“It was revealed that at around 11.45 PM on Monday, a Ph.D. student was taking a stroll in the campus. When she was walking near the East Gate road of the university, a man came on a bike from inside the campus and tried to molest her,” Sharma said.

The girl raised an alarm and the accused ran away. “Considering the gravity and sensitivity of the incident, SWD police team led by DCP Gaurav Sharma acted promptly and cognisance was immediately taken,” the Delhi Police later tweeted.

“FIR No 42/22 U/s 354A/354B/323/341/379 IPC at PS Vasant Kunj North has been registered and investigation is in progress. Several teams are working since then to nab the accused,” it said.

Beating dhaplis and carrying placards demanding justice for a woman, scores of students protested against the incident on Tuesday.

According to the protesters, they have given a 48- hour ultimatum to police to make arrests or else they would intensify their agitation.

They claimed the accused accosted the victim while she was walking near the East Gate, dragged her and tried to rape her. When she resisted, he escaped after snatching her mobile phone.

“She has sustained cuts and bruises and is still in trauma. The police had shown her photographs of 25 to 30 suspects but she has said they were not involved. She says that she will be able to identify him,” said a student.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union had given the protest call against the incident. The Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers’ Association (JNUTA) and the students’ union alleged that there has been a string of security lapses on the campus under the eyes of the Cyclops security agency and said the accused in the January 5, 2020 attack by masked men are yet to be arrested.

Sensitivity in the campus with normalising of sexist comments and misappropriate remarks along with an alarming increase in cases of stalking and harassment”.

Slogans of ‘’Halla Bol’’, ‘’Dilli Police Sharm Karo’’ and ‘’We want a safe campus’’ rang through the air as students marched in the campus to demand justice for the survivor.