IIT Madras woman research scholar sexually abused outside campus

CHENNAI: An IIT Madras woman research scholar was sexually abused by a migrant worker when she was going to a teashop outside the campus on Tuesday evening.

The woman’s male friend and onlookers came to her rescue. They nabbed the guest worker -- identified as Sriram, 29, of Uttar Pradesh -- and handed him over to the Kotturpuram police.


The woman stays in a hostel on the campus. On Tuesday evening, she went to a teashop outside the campus with her friend. When she was nearing the teashop, a guest worker employed in a bakery in the area inappropriately touched her. The woman screamed for help and onlookers came to her rescue.

The police registered a case the guest worker and arrested him. He was remanded in judicial custody.

In a statement on Wednesday, IIT-M stated, "A woman research scholar of IIT Madras was reportedly harassed last evening, Jan 14, 2025, around 5.30 pm, at a teashop outside the campus in the Velachery-Taramani region. The male students accompanying the woman scholar, and the public at the spot, caught hold of the culprit and called the police. The police apprehended the accused and informed the institute. The accused works in a bakery outside the campus and has no connection with IIT Madras."

"IIT-Madras has installed CCTV cameras across the campus and has taken adequate measures to ensure the safety and security of its inhabitants. Students are also advised to take precautions while going outside. The institute is extending all necessary support to the woman student," it said.

It may be recalled that an Anna University engineering student was raped by an intruder on the campus on Dec 23.