13 Tamil Nadu students suspended for assaulting senior suspecting thievery
What's the story
Thirteen students of different streams of a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore have been suspended after they allegedly assaulted a senior student over accusations of theft.
The incident was caught on camera and went viral on social media.
College authorities confirmed the suspensions and said an inquiry into the incident is underway.
"The 13 students involved have been identified and suspended. We have informed the police as well," the deputy chief warden of Nehru Institute of Technology, said.
Assault details
Assault incident details and video evidence
The victim is a first-year postgraduate. On March 20, the suspended students accused him of stealing their money and personal belongings from their hostel rooms.
In a one-minute, 42-second video, the partially unclothed victim is seen being made to kneel on the floor by a group of students inside a hostel room.
Despite being injured and pleading for mercy, he was repeatedly assaulted.
They also forced him to repeat, "I will not do this again."
Official actions
College administration's response
The private college said that the incident was not related to ragging.
Both the victim and suspended students have been asked to come before college administration on Monday for additional inquiry.
"The following students have violated the rules and regulations of the college by engaging in an act of misconduct within the hostel premises. The students are strictly prohibited from entering the college and hostel premises until further notice," the suspension order dated March 22 read.