SAU suspends hostel employee, removes warden as students protest alleged gang-rape cover-up

New Delhi: South Asian University (SAU) on Thursday suspended a hostel employee and removed a faculty member from their warden duties following four days of intense student protests against an alleged attempt to cover up a gang-rape bid on campus.

The university has established a committee to conduct an internal investigation into the incident. Pending the committee’s report, SAU suspended hostel caretaker Anupama Arora. Additionally, hostel warden Rinku Gupta was immediately relieved of her responsibilities, with assistant warden Kajori Bhatnagar stepping in as the new warden.

Despite these actions, students remained unsatisfied, continuing their protests and boycotting classes. They are demanding a swift investigation, identification of the perpetrators, and their immediate arrest.

The survivor, a student from Bihar, has alleged that four individuals assaulted her on Sunday evening. Students claim that Arora and Gupta attempted to cover up the incident. The staff reportedly blamed the survivor and instructed her to take a shower immediately after the assault. Moreover, the university did not report the matter to the police promptly; a First Information Report (FIR) was only filed after students launched their protests.

Since Monday, students have been protesting outside the administrative building, accusing the university administration of failing to treat the case with the seriousness it warrants.

“We are continuing our agitation. Our main demands are a speedy investigation and arrest of the culprits. They have not been identified yet. We do not even know who they are. They may be roaming freely on the campus,” one student said.

Another added, “The administration had promised to give a written acceptance of our demands by 8.30 am on Thursday, but was yet to do so.”

“The university has taken piecemeal action after four days. They are not serious about the probe,” the student said.

The protests continue as students press for justice and accountability.