A 28 year old female researcher was found sedated at the staff quarters of Indian Institute of Technology on Saturday. She initially refused to file an FIR and undergo physical examination which would determine sexual assault. She later yearned to register an FIR but not the test. The Powai police had arrested the 57 year old staff member for allegedly sedating and misbehaving with her.
The researcher was pursuing her dual degree, Msc and PhD in Physics. The accused and the girl were acquainted as they both would play badminton together at the institute. She had also not revealed the information to her mother, a widower, lest she trouble her. The victim had confidently stated that there was no sexual assault.
S V Rajan the accused was charged with sections 328 for causing hurt by means of poison, 342 for wrongful confinement, 354 for outraging modesty, and 366 for kidnapping, abducting or inducing a woman to compel. After the Andheri court heard the trial he was remanded to the police custody till August 22. He was also suspended from the esteemed institution till the inquiries were made.
The victim was admitted at Rajawadi Hospital where the doctors confirmed that there were no external injuries. After she was forcefully invited to his residence for coffee and to meet his wife, she had little choice but to comply. But she was shocked to see that his wife wasn’t present. He made her some coffee and gave her some cookies when he told that she had just left for a temple and would be back soon.
He apparently had drugged the woman who began to feel drowsy. Things had not gotten better after she was offered a tablet to counter the drowsiness. She had also told her fiance about the incident before she lost consciousness who had immediately contacted the colleagues. They had located Rajan who refused to know where she was. Later he was forced to comply with the demands of the colleagues where she was found unconscious in his bed.
She was transferred to the hospital on the campus after the FIR was registered at the government hospital as it was a criminal case.
(AW- Anil)
