Sexual favour scandal: Hostel warden on the run surrenders

An absconding women's hostel warden, accused of seeking sexual favours from a few inmates, surrendered before a court here today.

Punita (32) gave herself up before the 6th Judicial Magistrate Court, which remanded her to judicial custody till August 14, they said.

The woman was absconding after the inmates and their parents lodged police complaints stating that she had asked five girls during a birthday party of the hostel owner on July 22 to extend sexual favours to him in return for waiver of hostel fees and other benefits.

The warden had also allegedly issued death threats to the girls if they spoke to anyone about her offer.

Both she and owner Jagannathan went underground since then.

The body of the owner was found in a well in Tirunelveli district on July 26, with police saying they were probing all angles, including suicide.

Meanwhile, Punita filed a petition in the Madras High Court seeking anticipatory bail but surrendered before the magistrate court here.