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  JNU rape accused still on the run

JNU rape accused still on the run

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Aug 23, 2016, 1:44 am IST
Updated : Aug 23, 2016, 1:44 am IST

A day after a 28-year-old JNU student alleged she was raped by a fellow scholar on the campus, the accused, identified as Aisa activist Anmol Ratan in the victim’s police complaint, is still on the ru

A day after a 28-year-old JNU student alleged she was raped by a fellow scholar on the campus, the accused, identified as Aisa activist Anmol Ratan in the victim’s police complaint, is still on the run.

“The accused student has not joined the probe and is unavailable for questioning,” said joint commissioner of police (southeast) R.P. Upadhyay said on Monday.

Taking strong note of the incident, Aisa on Sunday expelled Ratan from the organisation, ending his primary membership. The complainant, a Ph.D. student, could not record her statement in front of a magistrate on Monday, as she was unwell. “The victim was sent for recording of her statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of CrPC, but she cited illness due to which it has been postponed now,” said Mr Upadhyay. Her statement is now expected to be recorded on Tuesday.

The police took the woman to hospital for a medical examination on Sunday, after she filed the case. “We have questioned several students of Brahmputra Hostel where the accused stays. We have also contacted senior officials of the university for assistance in our investigation,” said a senior police official.

The JNU student had approached the police on Sunday and filed a rape compliant, alleging that Ratan, also a Ph.D. student, had offered her a copy of the film Sairat that she was looking for and raped her in his hostel room after offering her a spiked drink. She told the police that he raped her when she was unconscious and threatened her not to report the matter.

Condemning the incident as a blot on the varsity’s image, the JNU authorities urged the community in the varsity to remain vigilant against such incidents. “JNU always stands for dignity of the individual, respect for women and democratic values. The administration strongly condemns an incident of heinous rape in a campus hostel. It has completely shaken the JNU community and has tarnished the image of the university,” an official statement said.

The JNU Students’ Union on Monday approached vice-chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar and pressed for action against Ratan. “We condemn the incident and call for speedy action in the case,” a JNUSU statement said.

Location: India, Delhi, New Delhi