IIT-BHU Harassment Case: Accused Absconding Even After 100 Hours, Questions Raised on Police!
In a troubling incident that occurred in Varanasi, a second year B.Tech student at IIT-BHU was subjected to harassment late on a Wednesday night. What's deeply concerning is that, even after more than 100 hours have passed since the incident, the individuals responsible for this terrible act have not been apprehended. This delay in justice has understandably angered the student community.
Adding to the tension, screenshots started circulating on social media on Sunday night, indicating a potential protest by IIT-BHU students. Reports suggest that they are working to gather an impressive 3,000 students to stand together in seeking justice for the victim and expressing their concerns about both the police and the BHU administration. Messages shared on social media platforms have urged a large gathering at the gymnasium, showing their resolute determination to peacefully challenge the system.
It's important to note that on Sunday night, a viral message and accompanying screenshots suggested preparations for a protest. This message called for people to assemble after their meals, with a request for 1,000 individuals to join. It expressed worries about possible manipulation of the victim's statement by the police and demanded an apology from high-ranking officials. Failing this, a protest at IIT was threatened. This message quickly spread among the college students, highlighting their commitment to instigate change and address issues related to harassment and injustice.
Simultaneously, in response to the escalating situation, BHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Jain and the director of IIT-BHU held a three hour meeting on Sunday. Following this meeting, it was announced that new security measures and rules would be swiftly put in place on the campus. Additionally, BHU issued an official statement regarding the campus boundary wall, stating that its construction was not feasible and that campus security did not depend on it. BHU students saw this as a victory. Nevertheless, more than 10,000 students are now planning a peaceful march against the wall, commencing from BHU hostels at 2 PM today, with loudspeakers used to encourage participation.
Despite thorough efforts, including the questioning of approximately 10 suspects, no significant leads have emerged in identifying the three individuals involved in the harassment. Six police teams, including the UP-STF and the Crime Branch, are diligently investigating the matter. They have carefully reviewed CCTV footage from the university's surroundings, but as of now, the culprits remain unidentified. ACP Bhelupur has given assurance that several suspects are being detained for questioning, providing hope that the accused will be brought to justice soon.
The suspects were captured on CCTV leaving the campus through Hyderabad Gate, based on approximately 215 reviewed footage clips. However, their exact whereabouts beyond that point remain unknown. In a surprising turn of events, the victim identified a young man from one of the suspect's photos, although he vehemently denied any involvement. This led to the young man's image circulating on Instagram, resulting in a report being filed at Lanka Police Station. Amitabh Thakur, the President of the Azad Adhikar Sena, has also taken a stand in this case, emphatically opposing the wrongful framing of an innocent person.
