PhD student rape: JNU asks students, staff to be vigilant

Taking serious note of the alleged rape of first-year PhD student on Sunday, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has advised students, staff and teachers to remain vigilant against such incidences, adding that the administration does not tolerate such incidents and resolves to take appropriate measures to prevent them in the future.

In an advisory, the JNU authorities said, "The University always stands for dignity of the individual, respect for women and democratic values. It is in this light that the JNU administration strongly condemns the incident of heinous rape in a hostel on the campus on August 20."

"This has completely shaken the JNU Community and has tarnished the image of the university. The administration does not tolerate such incidences and resolves to take appropriate measures to prevent them in the future. The entire JNU community stands with the victim," the university authorities added.

On Sunday, the PhD student accused an All India Students' Association (AISA) activist, Anmol Ratan, of raping her, taking a serious note of the allegation, the organisation expelled Ratan from the primary membership, stating that they stand by the complainant in her fight for justice.

"AISA takes serious note of the fact that Ratan, a leading activist of AISA, is facing a criminal complaint of sexual assault. He is, henceforth, expelled from the primary membership of AISA. AISA will reflect on and deal with this issue with all the firmness it deserves," said Ashutosh Kumar, AISA's Delhi State Secretary, in a statement.

Following the complaint by the 28-year-old victim, the Vasant Kunj (North) Police Station registered a case in this connection under sections 376 (punishment for rape) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Police are investigating the matter.