Man arrested for sexually abusing NIT student in hostel | Latest news from India

The incident led to massive protests on campus, with hundreds of students gathering on the night of August 29 to protest the institute's alleged apathy towards the crime.

“The accused has been arrested and remanded in custody,” said police commissioner Varun Kumar, who met the protesting students on Friday morning. “When the student was alone, he sexually harassed her… The protesting students have filed several complaints against the institution.”

The accused has been identified as G Kathiresan. He has been booked under sections 332(3) and 75(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and under section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Women Harassment Act, he said.

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The incident allegedly took place around 11.30 pm on Thursday. After the incident, the survivor first informed the hostel warden, who allegedly shamed her, then her father, who filed a police complaint. Meanwhile, the NIT administrative campus informed the local inspector, police said.

A student who wished to remain anonymous said that after the victim complained to the principal, she was immediately pilloried and no action was taken.

“The principal criticized her clothing and blamed her for the incident,” the student said. “The institute should apologize and not embarrass the victim. It must support the one who complains.”

A senior police officer said, “The principal asked her about her attire, which angered the victim. Although security personnel and the principal were present, the students are wondering how the accused was able to enter the hostel.”

“The institute has agreed to investigate these matters. There was a mistake on the part of the security agency. We have instructed the institute to take action against them as well,” the official said.

The director apologized to the students, the institute said in a statement. “The administration is dismayed by the gross sexual misconduct of an external employee in the Opal women's dormitory,” the institute said.

It added: “The matter which prompted the students to protest is being viewed with utmost sensitivity and concern. Following the incident, the NIT administration has taken stricter measures to ensure the safety of all students on campus, especially the safety of the girl students.”

“The Security Officer has been instructed to be more vigilant to prevent such incidents. The NIT administration stressed that all measures will be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future,” the statement added.