Bengaluru: A disturbing incident reportedly took place on October 10 at a private engineering college in South Bengaluru, where a 21-year-old male student allegedly sexually assaulted a fellow student inside the campus premises. The accused, Jeevan Gowda, a sixth-semester engineering student, was taken into police custody on Wednesday and later remanded to judicial custody.
The survivor, a seventh-semester student at the same college, filed a complaint five days after the incident, highlighting her initial hesitation due to fear and distress. Police confirmed that an FIR under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered in connection with the case.
Timeline of the Incident
According to the FIR, the accused and the survivor were previously classmates, though Jeevan Gowda had fallen behind academically due to backlogs. On the day of the alleged assault, the survivor met Gowda briefly to collect her belongings.
Later during the lunch break, Gowda reportedly called her multiple times and asked her to meet near the architecture block on the seventh floor. Upon arrival, he allegedly attempted to forcibly kiss her. As she tried to leave using the lift, the FIR states that he followed her to the sixth floor, dragged her into a men’s washroom, and sexually assaulted her.
During the alleged assault, Gowda reportedly locked the washroom door and confiscated her phone when it rang. The act is believed to have taken place between 1:30 pm and 1:50 pm. Following the incident, Gowda allegedly contacted the survivor, asking, “Do you need a pill?”
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Investigation and Evidence Gathering
Police conducted a crime scene reconstruction on Thursday. Authorities have confirmed that no CCTV cameras were installed on the floor where the incident occurred, which could make evidence collection more challenging. However, both forensic and digital evidence are under examination.
The survivor initially hesitated to report the matter but later approached her parents, who accompanied her to the Hanumanthanagar police station to file the complaint.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
The alleged incident has sparked political reactions, particularly from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, criticised the state government over what he described as a deteriorating law and order situation.
He noted that in just four months, Karnataka has reportedly recorded 979 sexual assaults on girls, with Bengaluru alone reporting over 114 cases. Ashoka highlighted past incidents, including the assault and murder of a tribal girl in Mysuru and the suicide of a librarian in Kalaburagi, calling them examples of administrative failure.
He has reportedly written to the National Commission for Women (NCW), urging a fact-finding team to investigate the matter. Ashoka emphasised that the government must ensure the safety and security of women and children, warning that the opposition will continue to press for accountability.
Concerns Over Women’s Safety on Campus?
This case has once again raised serious questions about women’s safety in educational institutions. Lack of surveillance, delayed reporting, and the distress experienced by survivors continue to highlight the urgent need for stricter safety measures and effective law enforcement on college campuses.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are reviewing forensic and digital evidence to ensure swift action against the accused, reinforcing the call for safer campus environments across the country.