A significant demonstration erupted at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This followed a student’s distressing allegation of molestation on campus by three unidentified individuals. The alleged incident occurred late Wednesday night, during which she reported being forcibly kissed, undressed, and video-recorded.
Three men on a bullet ambushed an IIT BHU student walking with her male friend in BHU campus, Varanasi. The men forcibly kissed the girl student, undressed and recorded her. She was held captive for 10-15 minutes. Hundreds of students of IIT BHU are now staging protest. pic.twitter.com/snsXBWu8l3
— Sachin (@Sachin54620442) November 2, 2023
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Hours later, on Thursday morning, a multitude of students assembled in front of the institute director’s office, pressing for enhanced security measures on campus.
In her formal complaint to the police, the student recounted the harrowing incident, stating, “I reside in an IIT-BHU hostel. On November 2, at approximately 1.30 am, I ventured out of my hostel for a walk. I encountered a male friend near the Gandhi Smriti hostel intersection. We were walking together, and when we were about 300-400 meters from the Karman Baba temple, three men approached us on a motorcycle.”
She went on, “They parked their motorcycle and forcibly separated my friend and me. They covered my mouth tightly, led me to a secluded spot, forcibly kissed me, disrobed me, and recorded photos and videos. When I cried out for help, they threatened to harm me. After about 10-15 minutes, they released me. As I rushed back to my hostel, I heard the motorcycle’s engine. I sought refuge at a professor’s residence, who then escorted me to the security officials…”
A police case has been registered against the three unidentified culprits under sections 354-B (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to disrobe) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.
A senior police officer confirmed that multiple teams are actively pursuing the arrest of the accused individuals. “Multiple teams are working on the case, and we will apprehend the culprits soon,” the officer stated.
A university official informed The Indian Express that a significant gathering of approximately 2,000 students has been protesting at the institute since Thursday morning. “The students are demanding enhanced security measures and are advocating for a system that ensures no one can enter the campus without a valid institute identification card. Senior institute officials are engaging in discussions with them, and we are actively addressing their concerns,” the official added.
