Chandigarh University row: Varsity says no student died by suicide, accused shared own video with boyfriend, no other material found

Chandigarh University row: Varsity says no student died by suicide, accused shared own video with boyfriend, no other material found

The cops have also denied reports of any attempted suicide by the girl students of the varsity.

Massive protests erupted on the campus of Chandigarh University in Punjab’s Mohali over “rumours” that some objectionable videos of several women students were recorded. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday ordered a probe into the matter following the protests that took place past midnight.

Police said a woman student accused in the matter had shared her own video. “Sad to hear about the unfortunate incident at Chandigarh University… our daughters are our honour… a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident… severe action will be taken against whoever is found guilty,” tweeted Mann in Punjabi.

The chief minister said he was in touch with the administration, while appealing to people not to believe rumours. Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal said those involved in the incident will get strict punishment.

Mohali senior superintendent of police Vivek Sheel Soni said it had been found during preliminary investigation that a woman student, who had been apprehended, had shared her own video with someone stated to be from Himachal Pradesh whose role is also under the scanner. He said an FIR had been filed under IPC section 354C (voyeurism) and the IT Act, and the woman student had been apprehended.

The university authorities have rejected reports that videos of several women students were made and shared on social media. Dr Arvinder Singh Kang, director, students welfare of Chandigarh University, said, “At the preliminary level, we investigated and did not find that videos of other students were made.”

He added: “For fair investigation, university authorities got the FIR registered into the incident for a thorough and fair probe. Rumours regarding attempted suicide (by some students) and MMS of 60 students are not correct.”

Punjab minister for school education Harjot Singh Bains asked the students of the university to stay calm and assured them that the guilty will not be spared. “It is a sensitive matter and concerns the dignity of our sisters and daughters. We all, including the media, should be very cautious. It is also a test of ours as a society,” Bains said in a tweet.

Soni urged people not to pay any attention to any rumour and said there was no case of attempted suicide by any woman student. He also said no death took place in connection with the incident.

The SSP also said forensic evidence was being collected in the matter. Punjab State Women Commission chairperson Manisha Gulati also reached the university campus to take stock of the situation.

“I understand parents’ concern and I want to assure them that the incident is being investigated by the police,” she said, adding, “it is a matter of deep investigation why the woman, who made the video, did so. Whether or not she shot videos of other girls is a matter of investigation.”

Here are the latest updates in the story:

– University officials urged protesting students not to fall prey to rumours and told them that all their demands will be met. The officials said all concerned in the matter will get justice. The officials further said protests were not the right way to ask for justice and press for their demands. “We will listen to all your demands, we will provide justice to all of you. But, you will have to approach the matter professionally, only then can we solve the issues. I know that you all are angry. You all will get justice,” officials told students.

– A large number of students gathered inside the Chandigarh University campus in Mohali, demanding justice over the alleged leaked objectional videos.

– Chandigarh University has declared September 19 and 20 as non-teaching days for students in “due to some unavoidable reasons”. A circular was issued in this regard.

– Chandigarh University said a preliminary probe by police shows that no student had attempted or died by suicide, while the accused girl student shared her own video and pictures with her boyfriend and no other material has been found. “No student committed suicide. Preliminary probe reveals that the accused girl had sent her own pics/videos to her boyfriend. No other material found. FIR filed. Police probing it. I appeal to students & parents not to believe in any rumours,” said the university’s pro-chancellor Prof RS Bawa.

– Police said a man from Shimla was also involved in the matter and only after he was caught, more details will come out. “A man from Shimla is known to the accused. Only after he is caught, more details will be known. Forensic probe of her mobile phone will be conducted,” said ADGP (community affairs) Gurpreet Deo.

– The National Commission for Women has sought an FIR in connection with alleged suicide attempts by students of Chandigarh University after their videos were “leaked”. The commission said it had come across multiple media reports and Twitter posts alleging that videos of girls living in a hostel of the private varsity had been leaked and some had tried to end their lives. The NCW said chairperson Rekha Sharma had written to the Punjab DGP to immediately file an FIR against the culprits and to deal with the matter strictly and without any laxity. The victims must be given proper counselling and their safety and security must be ensured, the NCW said. The rights body has also written to the V-C of Chandigarh University to take stringent action and that the university must investigate the matter extensively and in a fair manner. The commission has also urged the chairperson of the Punjab State Commission for Women to immediately inquire into the facts and ensure police were conducting a fair investigation.

– Police have registered an FIR in the matter and the accused girl has been arrested. The cops have also denied reports of any attempted suicide by the girl students of the varsity.

– The university, in an official statement, also denied reports claiming seven girls attempted suicide. “There are rumors that 7 girls have committed suicide whereas the fact is that no girl has attempted any such step. No girl has been admitted to hospital in the incident,” Dr RS Bawa, Pro-Chancellor of Chandigarh University said.

– Dr RS Bawa also said that the initial investigation showed that there were no videos found of any students which are objectionable except a personal video of the girl herself, which was sent to her boyfriend.

– All the mobile phones and other materials have been handed over to the police for further investigation, the university further said. It added that the varsity is fully cooperating with the police in the investigation.

– The Aam Aadmi Party, which is in power in Punjab, immediately took cognizance of the matter and promised action. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said a high-level inquiry has been ordered and requested everyone to avoid rumours. “Sad to hear about the unfortunate incident at Chandigarh University…our daughters our respect…a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident.severe action will be taken against whoever is found guilty. I am in touch with the administration. I request everyone to avoid rumours,” Mann said.

Chandigarh University row: Varsity says no student died by suicide, accused shared own video with boyfriend, no other material found
Video shows hundreds of girls protesting at Chandigarh University after bathing videos leak

– Delhi CM and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal called the incident serious and shameful and said that the culprits will be given harshest punishment. “In Chandigarh University, a girl has gone viral by recording objectionable videos of many girl students. This is very serious and shameful. All the culprits involved in this will get the harshest punishment. Victim girls have courage. We are all with you. We appeal everyone to be patient,” Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

– AAP MP and spokesperson Raghav Chadha also promised justice in the matter and said that the state government “will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.”

– Punjab Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer informed that the Deputy Commissioner of Mohali and SSP have been ordered to conduct an investigation in the incident.

– BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said he is “deeply pained to see the News of 8 girls from Chandigarh University committing suicide after their bathing video went viral.”– Punjab Minister for School Education Harjot Singh Bains asked the students of the university to stay calm and assured them that the guilty will not be spared. “It is a sensitive matter and concerns the dignity of our sisters and daughters. We all, including the media, should be very cautious. It is also a test of ours as a society,” Bains said in a tweet.

– Punjab Minister for School Education Harjot Singh Bains asked the students of the university to stay calm and assured them that the guilty will not be spared. “It is a sensitive matter and concerns the dignity of our sisters and daughters. We all, including the media, should be very cautious. It is also a test of ours as a society,” Bains said in a tweet.

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