In a shocking incident at IIT Madras, a female research scholar was allegedly sexually harassed by a guest worker near the campus on January 14. The incident occurred while the scholar was sipping tea outside the campus during the Pongal holiday, which had left the usually busy area relatively deserted.
The accused, identified as Sriram (29) from Uttar Pradesh, allegedly approached the scholar and inappropriately touched her. The victim’s cries for help alerted her male companion and nearby onlookers, who immediately intervened. The crowd overpowered the accused, thrashed him, and handed him over to the police.
A case has been registered, and the police have arrested Sriram. The incident highlights growing concerns about sexual harassment targeting students at educational institutions, following similar cases reported at Anna University and Puducherry Technological University.
Authorities and safety advocates are calling for heightened security measures to protect students in and around campus areas.
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IIT Madras issued a statement addressing the harassment incident involving a female research scholar near the campus on January 14, 2025, around 5 PM. The incident occurred at a teashop in the Velachery-Taramani area.
According to the statement, “A woman research scholar was reportedly harassed near a teashop outside the campus. Male students accompanying the scholar, along with members of the public, apprehended the accused and contacted the police. The police subsequently arrested the individual, who is employed at a nearby bakery and has no connection to IIT Madras.”
The institute emphasized its commitment to the safety of its community, stating that CCTV cameras have been installed throughout the campus to enhance security. It also advised students to exercise caution when venturing outside the campus. “The institute is extending all necessary support to the woman scholar,” the statement added.
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The sexual harassment incident at IIT Madras follows another troubling case at Anna University, where a second-year engineering student was allegedly sexually assaulted on December 23, 2024. In that incident, the student’s boyfriend was reportedly beaten and chased away by two assailants on the university campus.
Based on scientific evidence, police arrested Gnanasekaran (37), a Kottur resident allegedly close to senior DMK leaders. The accused, who owns a biryani stall on the campus footpath, confessed to the assault and is said to have a criminal history with over 15 FIRs filed against him. He is believed to have been involved in similar sexual assault cases in the past. In response to the gravity of the case, the Madras High Court formed a three-member team of female IPS officers to investigate, citing a lack of faith in the state police’s handling of such cases.
This string of crimes against women has raised serious concerns, particularly after the DMK government’s introduction of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Bill, 1998, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Anhita, 2023, in the State Assembly. These bills, designed to introduce harsher penalties for offenders, come amid growing public outrage over the frequency of such incidents and the perceived inadequacy of the current legal framework.
The alleged rape incident at Puducherry Technological University (PTU), which was reported by Organiser on January 15, has been confirmed by local police, who have arrested four individuals in connection with the crime.
According to the police, the incident took place on the evening of January 11, when four men on two motorcycles trespassed into the university campus and attacked a first-year student from Odisha. The men allegedly assaulted the student’s boyfriend before attempting to rape the woman.
Sources from the Pondicherry State Students and Parents Welfare Association revealed that the couple was behind the Chemistry department building after class when the gang approached them. The assailants chased away the boyfriend and attempted to rape the woman, who resisted and raised an alarm. The gang fled the scene when bystanders came to her aid.
Balasubramani, president of the association, expressed concerns over the incident, suggesting that the two students may be hesitant to report the matter due to fear of retaliation. He further questioned the authenticity of the press release issued by PTU, speculating that it might be an attempt to protect the university’s reputation rather than prioritize the rights and safety of the students involved.
Following the assault, the students sought medical treatment at Indira Gandhi Medical College, where a medico-legal case was registered and both individuals received medical care.
Sundaramoorthy, the registrar in charge at Puducherry Technological University (PTU), filed a police complaint following an incident involving four individuals on January 11. In the complaint, Sundaramoorthy stated that the suspects, aged between 18 and 25 years, were involved in a verbal altercation, using abusive language against passing students, which caused a disturbance on campus.
He further revealed that, following preliminary investigations, it was found that the accused were relatives of an outsourced employee working at the university auditorium. Sundaramoorthy expressed concern over the incident, noting that their actions had caused significant distress among the student body and staff, undermining the peaceful academic environment. He urged a thorough investigation and legal action under relevant laws.
Interestingly, the complaint did not mention the alleged sexual assault. Following this, Kalapet police filed charges under sections 296(b), 329(3), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Anhita (BNS) 2023 and began further inquiries into the matter.
