A shocking incident at a private engineering college in South Bengaluru has ignited public outrage after a 21-year-old student was arrested for allegedly raping his classmate inside a men’s washroom on campus.
The accused, identified as Jeevan Gowda, a sixth-semester student, was taken into custody on Wednesday. Police said he has been remanded to judicial custody. The alleged incident took place on October 10, and the survivor filed a complaint five days later on October 15.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case has been registered under Section 64 (Punishment for Rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
What the survivor said
The FIR states that the survivor and the accused were classmates until Gowda fell behind academically. On the day of the incident, she reportedly met him earlier to collect some belongings.
During the lunch break, Gowda allegedly called her multiple times and asked her to meet him near the architecture block on the seventh floor. When she arrived, he allegedly tried to forcibly kiss her. As she attempted to leave, he followed her to the sixth floor, dragged her into a men’s washroom, and sexually assaulted her between 1:30 pm and 1:50 pm.
ALSO READ: Kruthika Reddy murder: Shocking details out, husband administered IV doses to cause respiratory depression
He allegedly locked the door and seized her phone during the assault. After the incident, the survivor confided in two friends. Gowda later called her and allegedly asked, “Do you need a pill?”
Forensic Evidence and CCTV Concerns
Authorities said no CCTV cameras were installed on the floor where the incident occurred, which could complicate evidence gathering. However, forensic and digital evidence is currently being examined. A crime scene reconstruction was conducted on Thursday.
Police said the woman initially hesitated to file a complaint due to fear and trauma. She later informed her parents, who accompanied her to the Hanumanthanagar police station.
The incident has sparked political backlash. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Congress government of failing to protect women in Karnataka.
In a social media statement, R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, said: “The law and order in Karnataka has collapsed. In just four months, there have been 979 sexual assaults on girls. Bengaluru alone has reported over 114 cases. Our women and children are living in fear due to the state government’s criminal inaction.”
He added that he has written to the National Commission for Women (NCW), urging it to send a fact-finding team to the state.
“The BJP will not stay silent while our sisters and daughters are unsafe. The government must answer for this breakdown and act swiftly to ensure the safety and security of our women and children,” Ashoka said.
The private engineering college where the alleged incident occurred has not issued a public statement yet. The investigation is ongoing.
