Massive late-night protests outside Chandigarh Univ. over alleged videos

Mohali: There was a huge ruckus at Chandigarh University in Mohali, Punjab, late Saturday night. In the girls’ hostel, a girl student made a video of 60 girl students while taking bath and sent it to a young man.
Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains took to Twitter to appeal to the students to remain calm and assured them that the guilty will not be spared.
“I humbly request all the students of Chandigarh University to remain calm, no one guilty will be spared. It’s a very sensitive matter & relates to the dignity of our sisters & daughters. All of us, including media should be very cautious, it is also test of ours now as a society,” appealed the Minister.
Briefing the media over the alleged leak of ‘objectionable videos’ Mohali SSP Vivek Soni Sunday claimed after preliminary investigation, police have found only one video of the accused herself and there is no other video of anyone else. “After interrogation with the girl student and investigation so far, we have found out that there is only one video of the accused herself and there is no other video of anyone. The student also told us that she had not recorded any other video of anyone else, Soni said.
Vivek Soni said the videos never went viral. “Other girls in the hostel saw the accused shooting her own video which she sent to her boyfriend in Shimla. They panicked and thought she shot the videos of all others,” he said adding that if a girl and a boy share video with each other, it is no offence.
No suicide attempt or death has taken place, the SSP confirmed. On the viral video of a student being carried towards an ambulance, the SSP said one student suffered from an anxiety attack. “The student said she only recorded her own video. And in our investigation also, we have found out that there is one video. Electronic devices and mobile phones have been seized and will be sent for forensic examination, the SSP said.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said a high-level inquiry has been ordered in connection with the incident. He said, “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 appeal to everyone to avoid rumours….”.
Punjab Higher Education Minister said a thorough probe into the matter has been ordered. “It is really saddening to know about the unfortunate incident at Chandigarh University. Since this matter is very sensitive, it is my request not to forward any unsubstantiated news. There is no news of suicide by any girl student. I assure university students justice, especially girls. The DC Mohali and SSP have been ordered to conduct a thorough enquiry into the entire incident. Guilty would not be spared,” said the Minister.
Hundreds of students of Chandigarh University held massive protests on the varsity’s campus late Saturday night allegedly after some videos of girl students taking baths in the hostel were leaked and made viral on the internet.
Police have arrested the girl student, reportedly an MBA student and a resident of Himachal Pradesh for allegedly recording the videos of her hostel mates and sharing them with her friend in Shimla, who made those videos viral on social media. The girl was initially caught by the warden of the hostel after some of her roommates approached the warden in connection with the incident and an investigation was underway against her.
The university authorities have denied any videos being shot and made viral. “When girls are involved in the matter, it becomes very sensitive. No male is allowed in the girl’s hostel and even the maintenance staff is allowed inside with a pass and warden accompanies them. The matter is under investigation and let’s not come to conclusions now. The girl had recorded her personal videos and shared them with her friend. She has confessed it to us,” said the dean student welfare (DSW) of Chandigarh University in a press conference Sunday.
“This is a serious matter; an investigation is underway. I am here to assure the parents of all students that the accused won’t be spared. The warden will be questioned in connection with the matter. I have instructed the SSP to conduct strictly question the warden about those involved in the matter,” said Manisha Gulati, Chairperson, Punjab State Women Commission. (UNI)