Delhi college molestation: Students hold protest; police launches probe

New Delhi Scores of students of Delhis allwomen Gargi College on Monday held a protest against the alleged molestation of girls by a group of men who had gatecrashed a cultural festival demanding strict action against the intrudersThe Delhi Police said it has launched a probe into the incident and is scanning CCTV footage to gather evidencePolice however have not received a complaint in this regard a senior officer saidThe incident came to light after some students took to Instagram to narrate their unpleasant experiences during the February 6 college festOver 100 students held a protest outside the gate of Gargi College They alleged that the college management did not take any action even after the students took up the matter with it They also alleged that Rapid Action Force and Delhi Police personnel were deployed close to the gate from where the men entered the college but they did nothing to control the unruly crowdThere was a complete lapse of security The students were groped molested and even assaulted by the men who appeared to be in their mid30s The college had claimed to have made security arrangements I dont think such an incident has taken place on any college campus across the country a student said on the condition of anonymityA political science student who also did not wish to be named said Some men jumped over the gates some broke open the gates and some jumped over walls They were drunk and went berserkThe men groped and dragged girls and performed obscene acts she saidSome girls ran towards washrooms The men followed them and locked them inside she addedThe students alleged that they were threatened by the intruders who also made objectionable remarks and used cuss words They also claimed that auto drivers who had parked their vehicles outside the main gate of the college also entered the campusThe college had hired bouncers for security The college security was also standing right there and watching it all My friend who was molested rushed to a security guard and pleaded him for help but he did not move a BA student saidThe students said they reported the matter to the college management but in vain The next day on Feb 7 we took up the matter with teachers and college management The management said they had taken note of it They didnt promise to take any action after which many students shared their horrific experiences on Instagram a BSc student saidAccording to the students Delhi University colleges have witnessed repeated instances of eveteasing and sexual harassment during college festivals However the university hasnt taken them seriously which led to the February 6 incident at Gargi CollegeDelhi Commission for Women DCW chief Swati Maliwal reached the college to take stock of the situation The DCW has issued a notice the college and the Delhi Police for inactionDeputy Commissioner of Police South Atul Kumar Thakur said appropriate action will be taken in the matter We have not yet received a complaint in this regard But we have began a soumoto inquiry into the incident the DCP saidPolice are scanning footage of CCTV cameras to collect evidence and speaking to students to ascertain facts he added The inquiry is being conducted by Additional DCP South Geetanjali Khandelwal Thakur saidCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates