New Delhi: A massive protest broke out late Saturday at Chandigarh University in Punjab's Mohali after objectionable videos of girl students living in a hostel on the campus were allegedly leaked online. It was one of the girls living in the university hostel who allegedly shot the videos and sent them to a man who uploaded them on the internet.
Protesting students have alleged loss of life and injuries related to this incident, news agency ANI reported. Mohali Police said the matter pertains to a video that was shot and circulated by a girl student.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains has appealed to the students to remain calm and assured action against those found guilty.
According to a report in Jagran, the student had been filming objectionable footage of other girls in the hostel for a long time and was sending them to a man in Shimla who would leak them online.
Mohali Police Deny Suicide Bids, Say No Deaths Reported So Far
The report also said that eight girls attempted suicide after they got to know about their videos leaked online. The police, however, denied this. Mohali senior superintendent of police Vivek Soni cited medical records to claim there was no suicide attempt and also said no death was reported either.
Notably, an FIR was registered in the matter and the accused student has also been arrested.
"It's a matter of a video being shot by a girl student and circulated. FIR registered in the matter and accused student was arrested. No death reported related to this incident. As per medical records, no attempt (to commit suicide) was reported": Vivek Soni, SSP Mohali said, as quoted by ANI.
Electronic devices and mobile phones have been taken into custody and will be sent for forensic examination, he informed.
A video circulating on social media showed a girl student being taken in an ambulance. Talking about it, the officer said: "One student who was taken in an ambulance was suffering from anxiety and our team is in contact with her. Apart from the video of one student, no other video has come to our notice."
Hindustan Times reported that a case has been registered against the accused girl under Sections 354C of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the IT Act at the Gharuan police post.
Punjab Education Minister Says 'Guilty Won’t Be Spared'
Terming the incident a “serious matter”, Education Minister Harjot Bains tweeted: “I humbly request all the students of Chandigarh University to remain calm, no one guilty will be spared. It’s a very sensitive matter and relates to the dignity of our sisters and daughters. We all, including the media should be very very cautious, it is also a test of ours now as a society.”
A video shows police personnel at the campus speaking to the girls there.
Also doing the rounds of social media is an unverified video of the girl who allegedly made the videos and she can be seen confessing to her crime. This video suggests she shared the videos for money.
Manisha Gulati, Chairperson, Punjab State Women Commission said: "This is a serious matter, an investigation is underway. I am here to assure parents of all students that the accused won't be spared", ANI reported.