After fresh statement, police add gangrape section to IIT-BHU woman sexual assault case
After the IIT-BHU woman lodged the previous complaint, a protest broke out at the institute demanding better security on campus.
Students stage a protest outside the Indian Institute of Technology's (BHU) directors office after a student alleged that she was molested on campus on Wednesday night, in Varanasi, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. (PTI Photo) A week after a woman student was allegedly molested and disrobed on the IIT-BHU campus in Varanasi, police said on Thursday that they had added the IPC section for gangrape in the case after the victim gave a fresh statement. According to the police, sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including that for gangrape, have been added to the FIR now.
The student had earlier alleged three unidentified men, who came on a motorcycle, forcibly kissed her and recorded a video of her after taking her clothes off. The incident took place late on November 1, and the next day, hundreds of students gathered in protest at the institute director’s office demanding better security on campus.
On Thursday night, the protest was put on hold after the institute assured students that it would take steps to enhance security. No arrest has been made by the police in the case so far, and the protest by students has restarted demanding the arrest of the accused.
Speaking to The Indian Express on Thursday morning, a police officer said, “Based on the statement of the victim, IPC sections have been added. IPC sections 376-D (gangrape), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 507 (Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), and 509 (Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication).”
The initial First Information Report in the case was lodged against unidentified men under IPC sections 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 506 (criminal intimidation), and under the IT Act.
The student, in her police complaint on November 2, stated: “I am a resident of a hostel at IIT-BHU. On November 2, around 1.30 am, I left my hostel for a walk. I met a male friend… We were walking together when… a motorcycle with three men approached us from behind. They parked their motorcycle there and separated my friend and me”.
“They shut my mouth tightly and took me to a corner, kissed me forcibly, took off my clothes and recorded photos and videos. When I shouted for help, they threatened to kill me. They let me go after 10-15 minutes. When I ran towards my hostel, I heard the sound of the motorcycle. Then, I hid at the residence of a professor, who took me to the security officials,” she had said.
On Saturday, The Indian Express had reported that two days before the woman student was molested, another student faced a similar ordeal. This incident took place on the night of October 30, and the Proctor’s office was informed about it.
The institute’s Dean had confirmed to The Indian Express that a complaint regarding the October 30 incident was received by the Proctor’s office and that action was being taken.
Several members of the IIT-BHU Students’ Parliament said that there had been “a delay in taking action in the earlier incident”. Both incidents happened at a relatively isolated spot on the campus.
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