New Delhi: Chandigarh University students in Punjab’s Mohali district, wearing black T-shirts, continued to protest demanding justice over an alleged ‘leaked objectionable video’ on Monday (September 19, 2022). The agitation started at around 2.30 am on Sunday after several girls were accused of leaking objectionable videos.
After preliminary investigation, the police arrested a female student, while a 23-year-old youth, said to be her lover, was caught in Himachal Pradesh and handed over to the Punjab Police. Himachal Police has also detained another 31-year-old man in connection with the case.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) GS Bhullar spoke to the protesting students late on Sunday night and tried to pacify them by saying that “inherent trust is necessary” and “law is being followed”. DIG GS Bhullar said, “We will keep coming to you, implicit trust is necessary.”
What happened in Chandigarh University?
A massive protest was held by students of Chandigarh University in Mohali on Saturday night after an alleged ‘leaked objectionable video’ of girl students went viral. The protesting students allege that a student made a video of girl students taking a bath in the hostel. Later this video went viral on social media.
ADGP Dev, who is also holding the charge of women and child affairs, said that many rumors about the case were spreading on various social media platforms. “There are 4,000 girl students residing in the hostel. One has been arrested by the police. His phone has been taken into custody by the police and the state cybercrime analysis is on,” he said.
The accused girl made the video herself, and no MMS was found: Police
Punjab Additional Director General of Police Gurpreet Dev, who reached the Chandigarh University campus on Saturday night to take stock of the situation after the protests, told reporters that the student appeared to have shared a video of herself with the youth and that she had no objectionable information. Video is not. No other students found. University officials also dismissed “false and baseless” reports that claimed videos of several female students in a university hostel were created and leaked on social media and that disturbed students attempted suicide.
Women’s hostel amid heavy protests, two others arrested
So far, three people – a university student and two men – have been detained in this case amid huge outrage from the people. One person was arrested on Sunday while another was taken into custody in connection with the allegedly leaked objectionable video of Chandigarh University students. The arrested accused has been identified as Sunny Mehta. The youth hails from a local village in Rohru sub-division of Shimla district, about 130 km from the northern city.
The detained person has been identified as 31-year-old Rankaj Verma. A team led by Shimla Superintendent of Police Dr Monika arrested both the accused and they were handed over to Punjab Police from Rohur and Dhalli police stations respectively.
Police denied reports of suicide attempt
The protesting students also claimed that the girl students living in the hostel attempted suicide after the video went viral. However, the police denied the claim of attempted suicide. Police said, “Forensic evidence is being collected. No report of suicide attempt has been received so far. Medical records of the students have been taken on record. People should not pay heed to any rumours.”
Mohali Deputy Commissioner (DC) Amit Talwar also said that no information has been received about the suicide so far. DC Talwar said, “No information has come out about the suicide. It is a rumor which has been spread. We have not come across any information that suicide has taken place.”
University calls allegations ‘baseless’, students disagree
University authorities dismissed “false and baseless” reports that claimed videos of several female students in the hostel were made and leaked on social media and that disturbed students attempted suicide following the incident.
The agitating students have also accused the university management of suppressing the matter instead of taking action. The girl students say that this matter was brought to the notice of the university administration several times in the past, but no action was taken.
Political uproar over Chandigarh University hostel video leak case
The incident triggered a flurry of reactions from political parties and the central and state women’s rights bodies also stepped in. Several opposition leaders also shared strong views on the matter.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday condemned the incident and ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter. In a tweet in Punjabi, Mann said, “Our daughters are our honor… High level inquiry has been ordered into the incident… Strict action will be taken against whoever is found guilty.” “I’m in touch with the administration,” Mann said.
Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur said that the police of his state is giving all possible help in the matter.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal condemned the video leak of Chandigarh University students and assured the students that all the guilty would get the harshest punishment. “In Chandigarh University, a girl has gone viral by recording objectionable videos of several girl students. This is very serious and shameful. All the guilty involved in this will be punished severely. Victim girls have courage. We are all with you. With all patience. Work together,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.
Former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh also condemned the incident and said, “The Chandigarh University incident is shameful. Those responsible should be given exemplary punishment. Dignity and safety of our daughters should be top priority. Hope the police will take action.” And set an example against the culprits.
Additionally, opposition leaders including Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal and senior Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa called for a free and fair investigation and exemplary punishment for the culprits. demanded.
The Punjab State Commission for Women has also taken cognizance of the matter.
(with agency input)