nAfter large number of students of the all-women Gargi College on Monday held a protest against the alleged molestation of students by a group of men at a cultural festival on the campus, the Delhi Police said it has launched a probe into the incident and is scanning CCTV footage.
They confirmed later in the afternoon that they received a complaint from the college authorities. A case has been registered at the Hauz Khas police station.
Over 100 students held a protest outside the gate of Gargi College on Monday. As per posts of students and teachers on social media, during the college festival “Reverie” around 6.30 pm on Sunday, a group of unruly, drunk men mobbed the entrances of the college and forced their way in.
Students alleged that the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Delhi Police personnel were deployed close to the gate through which the men entered the college.
According to students, there was a complete lapse of security. “The students were groped, molested and even assaulted by the men who appeared to be in their mid-30s. The college had claimed to have made security arrangements. I don’t think such an incident has taken place on any college campus across the country,” said a student who doesn’t wished to be named.
Another student said some men jumped over the gates, some broke open the gates and some jumped over walls. “They were drunk and went berserk,” she said.
“The men groped and dragged girls and performed obscene acts. Some girls ran towards washrooms. The men followed them and locked them inside,” she added.
The students alleged that they were threatened by the intruders, who also made objectionable remarks and used cuss words. They also claimed that auto drivers, who had parked their vehicles outside the main gate of the college, also entered the campus.
“The college had hired bouncers for security. The college security was also standing right there and watching it all. My friend, who was molested, rushed to a security guard and pleaded him for help but he did not move,” a BA student said.
The students said they reported the matter to the college management but in vain.
“The next day, on Feb 7, we took up the matter with teachers and college management. The management said they had ‘taken note’ of it. They didn’t promise to take any action, after which many students shared their horrific experiences on Instagram,” a BSc student said.
Students said Delhi University colleges have witnessed repeated instances of eve-teasing and sexual harassment during college festivals. However, the university hasn’t taken them seriously, which led to the February 6 incident at Gargi College.
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal reached the college to take stock of the situation. The DCW has issued a notice the college and the Delhi Police for inaction.
Atul Kumar Thakur, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South district, said appropriate action will be taken in the matter.
“Police are scanning footage of CCTV cameras to collect evidence and speaking to students to ascertain facts. The inquiry is being conducted by Additional DCP (South) Geetanjali Khandelwal,” said the DCP.
“After receiving a complaint from the college authorities on Monday, a case has been registered at the Hauz Khas police station under IPC sections 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongÂful restraint), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention),” said the DCP.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal termed the incident extremely unfortunate while Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said those involved in the act were outsiders and the college administration has been asked to take strict action against them.
The Delhi units of the BJP and the Congress demanded that the culprits be arrested at the earliest.