NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has proactively intervened in the alleged sexual harassment of a 20-year-old woman intern at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M).
In a suo moto action—taken on its own accord—the NCW has called upon Tamil Nadu’s Director General of Police (DGP) to carry out a fair, thorough, and time-bound investigation. The Commission has also insisted that the victim be provided with psychological support throughout the process.
According to Chennai police, the incident occurred around 9:20 PM on June 26 near the campus food court. The accused, 22-year-old food court employee Roushan Kumar, allegedly assaulted the intern by striking her with a stick and pulling her hair. Based on the victim’s complaint and corroborating evidence, police arrested Kumar on June 27 and have since placed him in custody as investigations continue.
In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the NCW announced:
“National Commission for Women has taken suo moto cognizance of a media report regarding the sexual harassment of a 20-year-old woman intern at IIT-Madras by a food court employee on campus.”
Further, the Commission’s Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, “has written to the DGP, Tamil Nadu, calling for a fair and time-bound investigation under relevant provisions of BNS, 2023. NCW has also directed the authorities to ensure psychological support for the victim.”
Highlighting the emotional impact of such traumatic incidents, the NCW has stressed that the intern must receive ongoing psychological care. Ensuring mental-health support aims to help the woman cope with stress and anxiety arising from the alleged assault, and may include counselling and access to trauma-informed services.
In response to the incident, the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) has announced a protest on Saturday at 11 AM. The student body is demanding stronger safety measures for women on campus, including:
Improved CCTV coverage across hostels and common areas, increased patrolling by campus security personnel after dusk,
installation of emergency help-points and panic buttons, and mandatory gender-sensitisation training for all staff have been proposed as immediate measures to strengthen campus safety.
Broader Concerns Over Campus Safety:This case has reignited nationwide concerns about women’s safety in educational institutions. Recent surveys indicate that a significant number of female students have faced harassment on campus grounds. Activists and experts argue that institutes of higher learning must adopt comprehensive safety protocols and swift redressal mechanisms to protect their students.
With the NCW’s directive in place, Tamil Nadu police are under pressure to expedite their inquiry. Key steps include recording detailed statements from the victim, eyewitnesses, and the accused; conducting forensic examination of CCTV footage and any physical evidence; ensuring transparent updates to the NCW and the public; and extending medical and psychological assistance to the victim.
