A first-year male student of Pondicherry University was abducted by four men and nearly forced to perform oral sex inside the campus. The incident occurred on Tuesday  at 11.30 pm as the victim was going from one hostel to another.

“I was going to SRK hostel at 11.30 pm on Tuesday when four men on two bikes, asked for directions to Kannadas hostel. The campus was almost empty as the semester examination is going on and students are busy studying,” the victim told Newslaundry.

“While he was showing them the route, one of them took out a knife and threatened to get on the bike. He was made to sit in the centre and driven away to an isolated place near the library. The men then unzipped and forced him to perform oral sex. When the boy resisted, they beat him up and snatched his phone. One of the men recorded it on his mobile camera. All this was done with a knife at his throat,” said Prabha Bharati, a student.

“The men demanded Rs 5000 to return his phone. The boy somehow convinced him them that he will get the money from his seniors. Two of them then took him to the Bharatidasan hostel as he directed. After getting down from the bike, the boy regained his presence of mind doubled with bravery and pulled out the key from the bike and demanded his phone back. As other students in the hostel started noticing the men, the abductors returned the phone and fled,” said Bharati.

“The boy came to us around 1 am and explained the ordeal. He was really shocked and scratches could be seen on his neck. In no time, we went to the Kalapet police station where an FIR has been registered,” said Arvind VS.

Students allege they are not safe as outsiders roam freely in the campus. “The security guards hardly check student identity cards and they let outsiders to enter the campus. There were earlier instances of locals harassing female students and interfering in campus affairs including students’ union elections,” said Arvind.

When contacted, the officiating Vice-Chancellor Anisa Basheer Khan said she is not aware of the incident. Newslaundry reached out to the varsity registrar K Tharanikkarasu who said they are looking into the matter. “I got to know about the incident from the security officer and I have asked him to check the CCTV footage and find out the culprits,” said Tharanikkarasu. He denied a reply to questions on the lack of security in the campus. Multiple calls to the vigilance and security in charge Ravikumar went unanswered.

Newslaundry spoke to the Station House Officer Siva Prakasham, who denied the involvement of any sexual act. “The accusers demanded money. There was no sexual harassment. An FIR  has been filed under IPC section 506 and 323,” said Prakasham. “I have asked for CCTV footage and I will be going to the university tomorrow to collect it and further proceedings will follow,” he added.