IIT-Guwahati suspends student arrested on charge of molestation
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati has suspended the student arrested on the charge of molesting a fellow woman student. The student has been suspended from April 4 as recommended by the Students Disciplinary Committee after prima facie it was found that he committed an act that is considered a serious criminal offense by the judiciary leading to his arrest on April 3.
Other students involved are being investigated by the police
The four other students being investigated by the police for their alleged involvement in the incident have been isolated from each other on the campus and will be retained there for further police investigations as well as internal investigations, a statement issued by IIT Guwahati on Monday said. The institute condemns such heinous acts and has been cooperating with the police on the investigation.
IIT-G stepping up safety measures to prevent any future incidents
"These acts are a serious violation of the disciplinary rules, compromising the safety of students and residents of the campus and disruptive to the institute's environment. The institute is enhancing security measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future", the statement said.
The incident occurred during Holi celebrations on campus
According to a police officer, the complainant, a resident of Gujarat, claimed that the accused, a fellow student in the mechanical engineering department, molested her after spiking her drink during Holi celebrations on March 29. The woman said she fell unconscious after consuming the drink. The student of IIT-G was arrested on Saturday on the charge of molesting his college mate on March 29.
The accused was sent to jail custody
Authorities at the institute, after finding out about the incident, had taken her to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, and the police were subsequently contacted. Based on the statement given by the woman, the accused was arrested on Saturday and produced before the court of the CJM, Amingaon, which forwarded him to jail custody. The woman is out of danger and recovering speedily.
IIT-G has requested media to report responsibly
Meanwhile, IIT-G claimed that sections of the media have been "filing unverified" reports about the incident and about the institute discharging the girl student without following doctors' advice from the hospital. It said, "This is a very sensitive issue with implications on the future well-being of the girl student. Media is requested to report responsibly and is also requested not to sensationalize the issue."
A fact-finding committee also submitted its report
The institute said, "All due procedures were followed as per hospital guidance for discharge of the girl student. The medical report is awaited and only after this the nature of assault can be confirmed." A fact-finding committee, constituted by IIT-G to probe the matter, has also submitted its report, following which the premier institute, on its part, filed a police complaint, sources said.
