Chennai horror: NCW seeks action in IIT-Madras sexual harassment case, urges support for survivor

CHENNAI: The National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognisance of a sexual harassment case involving a 20-year-old woman intern at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The Commission Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, wrote to the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, urging a fair and time-bound investigation under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.The incident occurred on the IIT-Madras campus on June 25 around 9.15 pm, when the student was walking alone. A food court employee allegedly accosted her and sexually harassed her. The woman managed to escape and raised an alarm, prompting campus security personnel to intervene and detain the suspect.

The Kotturpuram police arrested Roshan Kumar, 22, a native of Maharashtra, who was employed as a contractual staff member at a food outlet on the campus. He was later remanded in judicial custody.In a statement issued on X (formerly Twitter), the NCW stated that it directed the concerned authorities to ensure the survivor receives immediate medical and psychological assistance.Police confirmed that a case was registered under relevant sections of the Tamil Nadu Women Harassment (Prevention) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

“We are conducting a detailed investigation and gathered evidence including eyewitness accounts and campus security footage,” said an investigation officer.The IIT-M administration has not released a fresh statement following the NCW’s intervention but earlier said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and is committed to ensuring campus safety. The case remains under active investigation.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)