A Manipal University student was gang-raped around 11:30 pm on Thursday. The incident has sent shockwaves across Manipal as no such crime has been reported in the education hub in the past.
The incident occurred when the victim, a fourth year MBBS student, was walking to her apartment from the university library. Three persons, including an auto driver, dragged her into an autorickshaw, took her to a secluded place and raped her. The miscreants later dropped her back and fled the scene. She managed to reach her apartment with difficulty. Her roommates immediately took her to Kasturba Medical College Hospital (KMC).
Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Boralingaiah said the victim hails from Thrissur in Kerala. She sustained a fracture in her leg and is recuperating in the Intensive Care Unit of KMC. “Though the victim is out of danger, she is petrified and under shock and is not able to reveal anything,” he said.
He said though the accused could not be identified, the police suspect involvement of local people. Boralingaiah added that the injuries on the victim’s body suggest that she might have been taken to some slippery area and raped.
Incidentally, the spot where the victim was dragged into the autorickshaw has enough lights and is very close to her apartment. The distance between the university library and her apartment is less than half a kilometre. No arrests have been made so far, Boralingaiah said.
Manipal University had started patrolling in association with the police a few months ago. Though the incident occurred in the heart of the campus, CCTV cameras have failed to provide any footage. In-charge IGP Abhishek Goyal has visited the spot. MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj said he would hold talks with the home minister over the incident.
There are nearly 20 auto stands in Manipal and around 800 auto drivers. He appealed the auto drivers to pass on any information they have on the incident. The university has lodged a complaint in the Manipal police station. As the news of the incident spread, a large number of students staged a protest on the campus on Friday night.Speaking to Deccan Herald, one of the victim’s classmates said she was good in studies, a good singer and a hard worker. She added that they had an exam on Friday and the victim was studying.
Home Minister K J George said a special team of police officers has been formed to investigate the case. “It is a gruesome incident and I condemn it. Strict action will be taken against those involved,” he said.
More News
MANGALORE: There was shock and outrage through out the education hub of Manipal on Friday after the abduction and alleged rape of an MBBS student by three men while she was on her way to her hostel room, just a kilometre away from the library complex on Thursday night.
The 22-year-old student from Thiruvananthapuram was dragged into an autorickshaw by three men on a road near the pharmacology college campus. The police learnt about the assault by 1.15am after an engineering student reported he saw three people abducting catch hold of a woman and forcing her into an auto. The girl dropped her purse in the scuffle and the engineering student got her identity from her cards and alerted the campus security staff. But instead of immediately informing the police, they searched for her futilely before calling the cops.
Last year, a 21-year-old student of National Law School of India University, too, was gang-raped in Bangalore.
The girl returned to the Manipal institute at around 3.30am even while the police were searching for her. The Kasturba Medical College Estate officer lodged a complaint of rape at the Manipal police station.
“It’s not clear if she was dropped off by her abductors or she managed to return on her own. She is in shock and her statements are incoherent,” said Udupi SP MB Boralingaiah.
“The area where the incident occurred does not have CCTVs. We examined our footage and we did not see any vehicle of that description passing by. The University CCTV cameras have some footage and we’re examining it,” said the SP.
The girl cannot recall where she was taken, he said, adding, “We haven’t got the medical report, but the estate officer filed a report of rape.”
A university official said: “We’re concerned about the safety of our students. We’ll hold a meeting soon to discuss to see how best students who staying outside can be protected from such incidents.”
The source added that student hostels are located just beside the library and students who don’t stay at the hostel have rented apartments behind the library complex, just a kilometre away.
Universityspeak
The university management is shocked by this incident. Our hearts and prayers go to the victim and her family. We’ll offer her our best available medical and emotional support. University officials are working closely with authorities and they have been provided all access to information we have to bring the culprits to book. We’ll work in close consultation with police and implement whatever extra measures needed to ensure the safety of our students. The victim is stable and her parents will reach here by Saturday morning.
Manipal rape goes viral on Twitter
MANGALORE: Twitter and the handle of manipalblog started going viral after students heard the rape of the medical student. The tweets have been filled with dismay that such a thing could happen in the education town of Manipal, one of the safest places for youth.
MITHUN JOHN @mithunmedamana
Kerala student gang raped in Manipal!! Regarded one of the freakiest and safest place filled with students but no more.
biju govind @bijugovind
Manipal gang-rape victim recovering at ICU. The trauma remains. . Gang rape travels from Delhi to Karnataka.
Preethish Shetty @PreethishShetty
A rape in #Manipal. This one will fade soon just like the Delhi rape case. Still no verdict after 5mnths
Alumni NT Balanarayan @chupchap
As an ex-Manipal student I’m really shocked about the gang rape case in manipal. the place used to be safe and we used to roam around late.
Shiba Kurian @shiba_kurian
: Oh Christ! A gang rape in Manipal. This time, a malayali. #freakedout
1 Comment
I suggested the authority in Manipal needed to take a fast action to solve the case, even consider to test the DNA for all the autorickshaw,otherwise the issue will becoming worse later.