IIT Madras Research Scholar Sexually Harassed By Her Fellow Scholar And Professors

Chennai: In a shocking incident, a research student at IIT Madras was repeatedly sexually assaulted and harassed at the workplace by her fellow scholar and his accomplices. This took place for nearly four years after she joined the institute in 2016. The scholar’s accomplices included two professors.

The Institution said that it is cooperating with the investigating authorities. They also said that though the scholarship period of the victim has ended. But the institute had extended all support to the victim during the investigation.

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CHARGES: 

The victim claimed, she was subjected to physical and mental trauma by a group of men. This took place at the institution and also during a trip to Coorg. She also claimed that she was prevented from using the laboratory equipment to work. An FIR has been lodged by the police and a case has been filed naming eight people.

She initially remained silent. But later gathered up the courage to complain to the internal Complaints Committee against Sexual Harassment (CCASH). The committee sought to restrain her three fellow scholars including the main accused in its interim recommendation. She leveled allegations against the main accused. beginning from the time she entered the campus till she completed her work and submitted her thesis. The committee told the guides to ensure that the respondents shall not submit their thesis until the victim submits her thesis. They postponed the investigation until she submits her thesis.

AIDWA: 

President of All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), S Valentina, and general secretary P Suganthi have taken up the victim’s case. And have sought justice for her and demanded stringent action against the accused. AIDWA leaders claimed that the girl filed a complaint to CCASH on July 17, 2020. And CCASH enquired and gave an interim order on October 10, 2020.

AIDWA’s general secretary said, “that the culprits have not been arrested so far. The girl demanded to transferred the case to the Crime Branch CID for a thorough investigation. And to take appropriate action”.