Allegations of sexual assault at Pune College: Congress leader calls for action
Allegations of sexual assault at Pune College: Congress leader calls for action
Maharashtra Congress leader and Kasba MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has made serious allegations regarding sexual assaults at a Pune educational institute. In a letter, he detailed incidents involving two minor girls, aged 16 and 17, who are students in the 11th and 12th grades. The assaults allegedly took place in a boys’ restroom near the college’s administrative building, where videos of the incidents were reportedly recorded and shared.
Dhangekar claimed that the college management was aware of the assaults and the video distribution via WhatsApp but chose to remain silent. He noted that the matter was reported to the college’s top management around ten days ago, but no action was taken. One of the victims was allegedly threatened by the suspects to remain quiet.
कोरेगाव पार्क ड्रग्स पार्टी व महाविद्यालयीन मुलीवर झालेल्या अत्याचाराची घटना अतिशय दुर्दैवी आहे.
— Ravindra Dhangekar Official (@DhangekarINC) September 26, 2024
शिक्षणाचे माहेरघर असणाऱ्या व राज्याची सांस्कृतिक राजधानी म्हणून ओळखल्या जाणाऱ्या पुण्यनगरीत घडणाऱ्या अश्या घटनांची मी नेहमी दखल घेत सखोलपणे या घटनांचा मागोवा घेत असतो, प्रत्येक… pic.twitter.com/w8t27CRM7S
The father of one victim sought legal action through multiple meetings with college officials, expressing his concerns about the lack of response. He was reportedly threatened, warned that speaking out could result in disciplinary action against him. Dhangekar also mentioned that the victim’s father waited for hours to meet with a senior official, only to be told that his daughter’s admission could be revoked due to alleged misconduct.
Dhangekar stated that the college failed to report the incidents to the police, as required under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (2012). As a last resort, the victim’s father filed a complaint with the Pune Police.
Some suspects reportedly come from affluent backgrounds, including one who is the son of a sub-division officer. Dhangekar appealed to the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Guardian Minister of Pune to address the matter seriously and deliver justice.
Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of National Congress in Maharashtra also emphasized the need for Pune Police to handle the case sensitively and to take strict action against the accused, regardless of their status. He said on X (formerly Twitter) This case coming from Pune, which is the home of education and culture, is very serious. Pune Police should handle the case sensitively and take strict action against the accused.
