The Delhi Police has filed a case of 'outraging modesty' after a PhD student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was reportedly molested inside the campus late at night on Monday, 17 January.
The student unions, however, insist that it was an 'attempt to rape' and not just a case of molestation.
The incident took place at 11:45 pm on Monday, on the road near the VC Gate, the police said.
The deputy commissioner of police (DCP) and station house officer (SHO) reached the spot soon after, and the police filed a complaint for molestation.
DCP Southwest Delhi, Gaurav Sharma, said that a call was received at 12:45 am at the Vasant Kunj police station. The student, who is pursuing her PhD in JNU, was taking a stroll inside the campus, he said.
“When she was walking on East Gate Road of the university, one boy came on a bike from inside campus and tried to molest her,” said the DCP. He added that after the woman screamed, he got on his bike and went back inside the campus, he said.
"A case of outraging modesty has been registered and efforts are on to nab the accused."Gaurav Sharma, DCP Southwest Delhi
Madhurima Kundu, Secretary, AISA JNU, said, “The student was dragged into a corner and her clothes were torn. It was an attempt to rape but the police have only registered a molestation complaint.”
She added that such cases have increased since the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment was dismantled three years ago. Referring to a controversial statement by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), she said, “The ICC is likely to blame the victim and ask us not to walk at night.”
Earlier in December 2021, the ICC had come under fire after it said in a circular that girls should know to draw a line between them and their male friends in a bid to avoid harassment. The statement was later withdrawn.
In a statement, AISA JNU said, "AISA demands that Delhi Police take immediate action in arresting the perpetrator while JNU administration and CYCLOPS take equal responsibility for the incident. AISA also extends unconditional solidarity to the survivor and reaffirms its support in the fight for gender justice."
A demonstration was held by students inside the campus in solidarity with the survivor. Slogans were raised and students demanded speedy justice.
The JNU administration released an advisory regarding the incident on 20 January. It read, "JNU administration with the Security Branch has been closely coordinating with the police in the process of investigation. In case of any information related to this incident, residents are advised to immediately intimate the security branch or the police."
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