BHU: Police yet to record victim’s statement, say ‘not reachable’

Women’s college girls student’s going home by BHU administration order. (Express photo by Annad Singh)

The Varanasi police are yet to record the statement of the 19-year-old woman student who was allegedly molested by motorcyclists at BHU campus on September 21. While the woman had lodged a case under IPC section 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) at the Lanka police station the next day, police said they could not reach her since.

“So far, the woman could not be reached to record her statement. She is not responding to phone calls. I contacted her friend and they have told that she would be joining University after October 2. I am waiting for her to return,” said sub-inspector Mahesh Sharma, the investigating officer in the case.

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One of the woman’s classmates told The Indian Express that her parents took her with them on Sunday soon after the campus protests intensified.
Meanwhile, police have collected CCTV footage from the college campus. “The picture of youths (who allegedly molested the woman) and their motorcycle is not clear. One of them is seen wearing a red shirt. Statement of woman’s friend and BHU security guards are being recorded. So far, we have not got any lead about the accused,” said S-I Sharma. Police are also scanning cellphones active in the area at the time of the alleged incident.

The Indian Express contacted a classmate of the woman.

“On September 21, around 6.15 pm, my friend was cycling alone on campus. Near Bharat Kala Bhawan, around 500 metres from her hostel, two men on a motorcycle came from behind and molested her,” he said. He also claimed that the campus guards were very close to the spot of the incident.

“Following the attack, the girl screamed for help after which the men fled. Another male student rushed to her aid. Later, the guards too came and began inquiring about what happened. She then called other inmates from the hostel. She, along with other students, went to the proctor’s office and filed a complaint,” said the girl’s classmate.