IIT-BHU Sexual Assault Case: Police Arrest Three For Kissing, Tearing Clothes, Filming A Girl

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested three men in relation to a sexual assault case. According to the reports, these three men namely Kunal Pandey, Anand Chauhan, and Saksham Patel reportedly undressed and sexually assaulted a female within the IIT-BHU campus two months ago. Following the tragic and shocking incident, student protests were held in demand of justice for the victim.

Reports said all these accused are in their twenties and residents of Varanasi.

A senior police official told the media that "three accused have been arrested. We will release more details during the day."

According to the police report, three men came on a motorbike and forcibly kissed the girl. She alleged that her clothes were torn and a video of her was recorded on November 1 inside the IIT-BHU campus.

After the sexual assault, hundreds of students protested outside IIT BHU Director's office demanding justice for the victim and better security on campus for the rest of the females.

In her complaint to the police, briefing about the incident, the victim said, "I am a resident of a hostel at IIT-BHU. On November 2, around 1.30 am, I left my hostel for a walk. I met a male friend... We were walking together when...a motorcycle with three men approached us from behind. They parked their motorcycle there and separated my friend and me".

"They shut my mouth tightly and took me to a corner, kissed me forcibly, took off my clothes, and recorded photos and videos. When I shouted for help, they threatened to kill me. They let me go after 10-15 minutes. When I ran towards my hostel, I heard the sound of the motorcycle. Then, I hid at the residence of a professor, who took me to the security officials," she added.

At first, police lodged a complaint against unidentified men under IPC sections 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 506 (criminal intimidation). Later, sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 507 (criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication), and 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) were added to the chargesheet after the police recorded victim's statement.