New Delhi | A woman student at South Asian University (SAU) in Delhi was allegedly sexually assaulted by four individuals on campus, according to police reports released on Tuesday. The incident has led to widespread student protests and strong condemnation from the university.
The student was discovered injured, with torn clothing, near the university auditorium on October 13 — a day after she was reported missing. Authorities received a distress call around 3 PM on Monday at Maidan Garhi police station, informing them that the missing student had been found on campus.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan, a police team was immediately dispatched, and an FIR has been registered based on the student’s statement. The charges include attempt to gangrape and the investigation is being handled with high priority and sensitivity, he said.
The student was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical examination and is currently receiving counseling.
Preliminary Investigation and Background
During counseling, the student revealed that she had been approached and forcefully taken by four individuals near the auditorium. Police have asked the university to provide CCTV footage to help track her movements after she left her hostel room.
It was also reported that the student had only recently joined SAU, having moved to the campus two weeks ago after spending the previous year in Kota. She has reportedly been undergoing treatment for depression, which began following her parents’ separation — with her father living in Bihar and her mother in Mumbai.
Student Protests and University Response
As word of the alleged assault spread across campus, students gathered outside the administrative building Monday evening, accusing the administration of failing to act swiftly and inform authorities on time. The protest turned into an eight-hour sit-in, with demands for accountability and safety assurances.
On Tuesday, the university released an official statement condemning the incident: “South Asian University denounces this alleged act of sexual violence in the strongest possible terms. We stand in full solidarity with our student community and assure our complete support,” the statement read.
SAU emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward any form of harassment or violence against women and reiterated its commitment to a safe and secure campus environment.
What’s Next
Police continue to investigate the case, and students are demanding increased campus security measures and transparency from university officials. The incident has reignited conversations about women’s safety in educational institutions and the need for proactive administrative action in such situations.
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