Former private university staffer held for sexual assault on foreign student: Police

According to the FIR filed on Sunday, Dave stayed with the students on the same premises and would routinely enter the complainant’s room and behave in an obscene manner.

On September 11, the FIR stated, when the international student was in the common kitchen, the accused came from behind and groped her. The woman rushed to her room but Dave overpowered her outside and attempted to forcibly kiss her, the FIR further stated. The woman somehow freed herself and rushed to her room, said police.

The next day, Dave allegedly threatened her into staying silent about the incident, said the FIR. However, as he continued stalking her and making obscene gestures, she decided to file the complaint, the FIR added.

When contacted, the registrar of the private university, who is on leave, said he was not aware of the incident.

Dave was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 74 (assault against a woman to outrage her modesty), 79 (sounds or gestures to outrage the modesty of a woman), 78(2) (stalking), and 351(3) (criminal intimidation).

Inspector BT Gohil of Bopal police station said, “Dave was living with the international students in what can be described as a PG living arrangement, which had both men and women. Upon inquiry at the university, we found that he had resigned on September 19 and was about to move to Kalol (where he had found another job) when the complaint was filed by the student. Dave, a resident of Vadodara, has been placed under arrest and further investigation is underway.”