8 months ago
Multiple Sexual Assault Cases Spark Outrage in Andhra Pradesh
Two teachers at a university in Tirupati, India, were arrested for sexually assaulting a student.
The student complained to the university, and the teachers were charged with sexual harassment and other crimes.
The case has become a big political issue, with one party accusing the other of not handling it properly.
The police are investigating, and the teachers have been suspended from the university.
Additionally, three men in Anantapur were booked for sexually assaulting a diploma student.
The men lured the student under the pretext of love and marriage and assaulted her over several days.
The student's family filed a missing complaint, and after reuniting with her family, she revealed the abuse she had suffered.
Police have registered a POCSO case against all three accused and begun further investigation.
Two assistant professors at National Sanskrit University in Tirupati were arrested for sexually assaulting a student.
The professors were charged with sexual harassment, voyeurism, and insulting the student's modesty.
The student lodged a complaint on November 24, and the university constituted an internal committee to investigate.
Three men in Anantapur were booked for sexually assaulting a diploma student under the pretext of love and marriage.
The diploma student was assaulted over several days, and her family filed a missing complaint before she revealed the abuse.
- Who
- Two assistant professors, Lakshman Kumar and A Shekhar Reddy, were arrested for sexually assaulting a student at National Sanskrit University in Tirupati. Additionally, three men—Gurumohan, Pradeep, and Brahmanayudu—were booked for sexually assaulting a diploma student in Anantapur.
- What
- The professors allegedly lured the student and sexually assaulted her, with one also capturing photos and videos for blackmail. The three men in Anantapur exploited and sexually assaulted a young woman in the name of love and marriage.
- Where
- The incidents occurred at National Sanskrit University in Tirupati and in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- The student at National Sanskrit University lodged a complaint on November 24, and the professors were arrested on a subsequent Tuesday (specific date not mentioned). The assaults on the diploma student occurred between December 2 and December 7.
- Why
- The case at National Sanskrit University has sparked political tensions, with the Opposition YSRCP accusing the ruling TDP of suppressing the issue, while the TDP claims a probe has been instituted. The diploma student's case came to light after she approached her family.
Opposition YSRCP
Ruling TDP
Handling of the Case
Opposition YSRCP
Accuses the ruling TDP of suppressing the issue and not taking appropriate action.
Ruling TDP
Claims a probe has been instituted and the Superintendent of Police is directly handling the investigation.
Key facts
- Location
- Tirupati and Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
- Institution
- National Sanskrit University and a Diploma college in Tadipatri
- Accused in Sanskrit University Case
- Lakshman Kumar and A Shekhar Reddy
- Charges in Sanskrit University Case
- Section 75 (1) (sexual harassment), 77 (voyeurism), 79 (insulting modesty) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Complaint Date in Sanskrit University Case
- November 24
- Arrest Date in Sanskrit University Case
- Tuesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Political Parties Involved
- YSRCP and Telugu Desam Party (TDP)
- Investigation Body in Sanskrit University Case
- Tirupati Police, supervised by Superintendent of Police
- Accused in Diploma Student Case
- Gurumohan, Pradeep, and Brahmanayudu
- Charges in Diploma Student Case
- POCSO Act
- Assault Dates in Diploma Student Case
- December 2 to December 7
Quotes
Student from NSU
The victim of the alleged sexual assault
“This situation has caused me severe mental stress and fear, and I request you to kindly take immediate action in this matter. I request guidance in the next steps to ensure my safety.”
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“I humbly request you to keep my identity secret and punish him so that other girls will not suffer.”
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Faculty member
A faculty member who knows the survivor well
“Laxman first sexually assaulted the survivor a few months ago and allegedly recorded a video, which he had been using to blackmail her and sexually assault her further. This had been going on for months. When the woman reported the matter to her parents, they forced her to discontinue the course. But before she left the university, she gave a written complaint to the ICC so that others do not face the same plight as her.”
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“The moment the complaint was lodged, we did everything in our power to ensure the safety of the survivor.”
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Inspector V Murali Mohan
Inspector of the Tirupati West police station
“She kept to herself mostly in the last five-six months. None of her classmates knew about this until she filed the complaint. She did not discuss the incident with anyone and left the university campus, fearing for her safety after filing the complaint.”
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Professor Rajanikant Shukla
Professor at NSU
“We have not had any complaints against either of them previously. There had also been no reason to be suspicious of their activities.”
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TDP leader and state Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha
TDP leader and state Home Minister
“No one will be spared. The Superintendent of Police is directly handling the probe.”
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Sources
‘Punish him so other girls don’t suffer’: National Sanskrit University student in ICC complaint against professor; police say she was sexually assaulted multiple times
Sexual assault of student at Tirupati’s National Sanskrit University by 2 teachers triggers political storm
