Girl attempts suicide; alleges harassment

Student of Christ University texts her father after consuming poison

A 19-year-old second-year degree student of Christ University attempted suicide by consuming rat poison on Monday afternoon on the University campus. The parents of the girl have lodged a complaint charging the NCC officer of the varsity with sexually harassing their daughter.

The girl, however, was rescued by her mother in the nick of the time and is being treated at Jayanagar General Hospital. Her condition is said to be stable.

The mother of the girl told Deccan Herald that her daughter had always been studious and was preparing for civil service exams. While her father stayed in Mysore, she lived with her mother and brother in a rented house near the college. Her mother had shifted to the City just a week ago. Earlier, the girl stayed in a PG  accomodation.

On Monday afternoon, the girl attempted suicide by consuming rat poison on the college premises. Before taking the extreme step, she had sent a text message to her father saying she had consumed poison and asked him to get the NCC officer punished for his act.

The girl returned home after consuming poison. The father had by then called his wife and as soon as the girl came home, her mother rushed her to a nearby hospital.

Mico Layout police have registered a case against NCC officer of the varsity, Captain Ajay Pavithran (41) under Section 354 IPC (outraging the modesty of a woman). He has been arrested and lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison after the VI ACMM court remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.

Sources say the trigger for the girl to attempt suicide was that the NCC officer who had been allegedly harassing her for the past six months humiliated her on Monday afternoon. Going by the version of her friends, the girl was allegedly slapped by her senior after having been goaded by Pavithran, to do the same. The NCC officer was enraged with her that she had not attended an NCC training camp that was compulsory.

A few Christ University students, who had come to visit the student at the Jayanagar General Hospital, alleged that the NCC trainer in the college was harassing her for the past six months. 

“Ajay Sir had asked her to give him a back massage. During a camp in Kerala, he had invited her to go to his room alone. However, she took a friend along. This has been going on for a long time. Nobody spoke out fearing repercussions,” a friend said.

They said Pavithran had attempted to sexually harass other students also. “He would use foul language. Nobody had the courage to raise a voice against the teacher as they were all scared of losing their ranks. They were also threatened with rustication,” said a friend of the victim. 

“She has always been well-behaved and I will stand in support of my daughter. If she had told us earlier that there were problems, we would have immediately gone to the college and sorted out the issue. We will fight for justice,” said her mother. Though she said that the college tried to persuade them to withdraw their complaint, the police had already registered a case.

Captain Ajay Pavithran is a recipient of Raksha Mantri’s Medal for Bravery in 2008. Christ University Pro VC Fr Abraham said Pavithran was known to be a strict teacher and there have been no complaints against him in all these years of service.

“If students are complaining, we will conduct an inquiry. But, he cannot be suspended without inquiry. I have seen him for many years. He is known to be well-behaved.” He added that the college had not requested the family to withdraw the complaint.