EFLU Student Sexually Harassed on Campus, Students Seek Resignation of Officials

Hyderabad: The police on Thursday booked two unidentified persons for attempting to rape a female student of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) on its campus late on Wednesday night.

In her statement to the police, the victim said that when she resisted their attempts and tried to make a phone call, she was hit on the head with a rock, leaving her unconscious. She was found by a group of students in the bushes and later taken to a health centre.

“She was administered first aid as she had a head injury. There were wounds and scratch marks on her chest and other parts of the body. She was too tired to file a complaint, so we took her to the police on Thursday morning,” a friend of the victim said.

Another friend of the victim said that the police were insensitive and inconsiderate in their handling of the complaint. “Although our friend was holding up well, the cops behaved very rudely and tried excessive counter-questioning to the point of making her not wanting to file a complaint,” she said, adding that eventually, an FIR was registered.

EFLU students have been protesting since Thursday morning against the university management over the allegations of sexual harassment. “This is why we have been protesting since 4 am, demanding the resignation of the VC and Registrar, as we believe there won't be a fair investigation under their leadership,” a protesting student said.

Protesters also said the attack was a retaliatory move against female students demanding the constitution of the Sparsh (Sensitisation, Prevention and Redressal of Sexual Harassment) Committee via elections. The university officials assured the committee would be constituted following student union elections on November 18, they said.

They said the accused were well-versed with the campus layout as the incident took place at the only location not covered by CCTV cameras.