Chennai: A woman research scholar at IIT Madras was sexually harassed by a guest worker when she stepped outside the campus to go to a tea shop on Taramani-Velachery main road on Tuesday evening.
When Sriram, 29, of Uttar Pradesh, inappropriately touched the woman, her male friend and onlookers came to her rescue and nabbed the guest worker and handed him over to Kotturpuram police, who registered a case and arrested him.
The guest worker was employed in a bakery in the vicinity. He has been remanded in judicial custody.
On Wednesday, IIT-M issued a statement saying: "A woman research scholar of IIT-Madras was reportedly harassed last evening, Jan 14, 2025, around 5.30pm, at a teashop outside the campus in the Velachery-Taramani region. The male students accompanying the woman scholar, and the public at the spot, caught hold of the culprit and called the police. The police apprehended the accused and informed the institute. The accused works in a bakery outside the campus and has no connection with IIT Madras."
The statement further read: "IIT Madras has installed CCTV cameras across the campus and has taken adequate measures to ensure the safety and security of its inhabitants. Students are also advised to take precautions while going outside. The institute is extending all necessary support to the woman student."