Hostel warden, owner on the run for soliciting inmates

A search is on for the warden of a women's hostel here and its owner for allegedly asking the inmates to extend sexual favours in return for waiver of fees, police said here on Tuesday.

The warden Punita (32) took five girls from the private hostel to a hotel under the pretext of taking part in the birthday party of the owner Jagannathan two days ago, they said.

During the party, Punita allegedly forced the girls to take liquor, asked them to speak to Jagannathan through WhatsApp and extend sexual favours, the police said.

The girls immediately returned to the hostel and narrated the incident to the other inmates.

On learning this, Punita threatened them of dire consequences. Later, the girls informed their parents about Punita and Jagannathan.

Around 50 of them besieged the hostel late last night, demanding action against the two, they said. Soon, police arrived at the hostel but the two fled.

A case has been registered against the accused on charges of threatening to murder and under Prevention of Atrocities on Women Act, 2016 Three teams have been formed to trace the duo.

In a similar incident in April last, a woman assistant professor of a private college in Virudhunagar district, had allegedly asked students to extend sexual favours to the officials of Madurai Kamaraj University, in return for marks and cash.