CHANDIGARH: Amid the excitement following the alleged leak of inappropriate videos from the Chandigarh University girls’ home in Mohali, Punjab, the uni has been closed to students until September 24, university sources said on Monday.
The decision came amid massive student protests demanding action against allegations that lewd videos of several girls were taken by another hosteller and shared on social media. Two suspects were arrested and one detained in connection with the incident.
Pictures from the university campus today showed several students carrying their luggage as they left the campus. The protests, which began Saturday night, continued late Sunday. Protesting students claimed a student made videos of female students taking a bath at the hostel. The video later went viral on social media.
The protesting students also claimed that female students living in the hostel attempted suicide after the videos went viral. However, the police denied all the suicide allegations.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) GS Bhullar spoke to the protesting students late Sunday night, trying to calm them down, saying “unconditional faith is necessary” and “the law will be obeyed”. “We will continue to come to you, absolute trust is necessary,” said DIG GS Bhullar.
DIG Bhullar told ANI that there had previously been a communication gap which police are trying to bridge. “The problem was the communication gap. We have always made it clear. We assure students that the laws will be obeyed and all legal processes will be carried out,” said DIG Bhullar.
Deputy Mohali Commissioner (DC) Amit Talwar also dismissed as “rumours” that students had attempted suicide. “No information about the suicide has come to light. It’s a rumor that has been spread. We have not received any information that a suicide has taken place,” Talwar said.
A defendant identified as Sunny Mehta was arrested on Sunday. The youth belongs to a village in Rohru sub-district of Shimla district, nearly 130 km from the city to the north.
The arrested person was identified as 31-year-old Rankaj Verma. Both defendants were arrested by a team led by Dr. Monika, Superintendent of Police, Shimla, arrested and handed over to Punjab Police by Rohur and Dhalli Police Stations respectively.
“Punjab Police have arrested and taken away the defendant from Rohru in Case FIR No. 194/22 det 18/9/22 u/s 354C IPC, 66E IT Act PS Sadar Kharad Punjab. The 23-year-old defendant, a resident of Rohru, has been handed over to them,” Shimla Police said in a statement.
The Chandigarh University student in Mohali was also arrested by the police. She had reportedly said she made videos of some girls and sent them to a youth in Shimla.
