Delhi College Horror: Teen Girl Allegedly Sexually Assaulted on Campus — Told to ‘Bathe and Change Clothes’ Instead of Help, Sparks Nationwide Outrage
According to the FIR, the university staff allegedly dismissed her account, and even advised her to “take bath and change clothes
An 18-year-old student of South Asian University (SAU) in south Delhi has accused hostel officials of apathy and obstruction after she was allegedly gangraped by four unidentified men inside the campus on Sunday evening.
According to the FIR, instead of providing immediate support or alerting authorities, the university staff allegedly dismissed her account, discouraged her from contacting her family, and even advised her to “take bath and change clothes.”
The woman, a first-year BTech student, was allegedly sexually assaulted by four men near the university’s convocation centre on Sunday night after a series of threatening emails and obscene messages coerced her into leaving her hostel. A case of gang rape has been registered and teams have been formed to identify the suspects, Delhi Police said.
However, what has added to the outrage are the allegations about the university administration’s response after the assault.
According to the survivor’s FIR, when she approached the hostel in-charge following the incident, a doctor present emphasised the seriousness of the situation. But the official allegedly “did not take (her) seriously” and instead levelled unrelated allegations against female students.
The survivor, in her FIR, stated that officials advised her to bathe and change clothes instead of calling the police or seeking medical attention immediately.
She further alleged that they physically prevented her from video calling her mother to show her injuries. “I wanted to video call my mother and show her the bruises but the hostel-in-charge and a guard were covering me,” the FIR quotes her as saying.
Her friends reportedly insisted that the matter be taken to the police and medical authorities. A PCR call was eventually made on Monday afternoon by one of her friends. A police team reached the campus and found the victim in a distressed state. Her statement was recorded after counselling and a medical examination at Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital.
Deputy commissioner of police (south) Ankit Chauhan confirmed that a case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including gang rape, kidnapping, wrongful restraint, and administering poison. “Probe is underway and teams are working to identify the suspects,” he said. The woman’s statement before a magistrate was recorded on Tuesday.
In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves across the national capital, a 19-year-old girl student from a prominent Delhi college was allegedly sexually assaulted on campus earlier this week. Instead of offering immediate help or notifying the police, college authorities reportedly told the survivor to “bathe and change clothes”, raising serious concerns about institutional negligence and the handling of sexual assault complaints in Indian colleges.
According to police officials, the alleged assault took place inside a secluded area of the campus during the evening hours. The victim, a first-year student, claimed that a male student lured her under false pretenses before allegedly assaulting her. Following the incident, the traumatized student reached out to college staff seeking assistance—but what followed has sparked nationwide outrage.
Instead of offering medical attention or informing law enforcement, college staff allegedly asked the girl to wash up and change her clothes, effectively tampering with crucial forensic evidence. Legal experts have called this response “highly unethical and obstructive,” emphasizing that any delay in reporting such crimes can severely impact the survivor’s legal rights and evidence collection.
The Delhi Police registered a case under Sections 354 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and have launched a full-scale investigation. The accused student has been identified and detained for questioning. Forensic teams have collected samples from the scene, while CCTV footage is being examined to trace the suspect’s movements.
Following the news, hundreds of students gathered outside the college gates, demanding strict action against both the accused and the administration. Student unions have accused the institution of attempting to cover up the crime to protect its reputation.
One student protestor said, “This is not just about one girl — this is about every student’s safety on campus. If our colleges can’t protect us, where do we go?”
The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and issued a notice to the college administration. DCW Chief Swati Maliwal condemned the incident, calling it “an unforgivable example of systemic apathy.”
Legal experts say the college’s reaction violates established sexual harassment and assault response protocols under the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. Institutions are mandated to inform the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and immediately assist survivors in accessing police and medical help.
If proven, the staff members responsible for obstructing evidence or discouraging reporting could face criminal charges under Section 201 IPC (Destruction of Evidence) and disciplinary action under the UGC Anti-Sexual Harassment Regulations.
The case has reignited debate over women’s safety in educational institutions. Social media has exploded with anger, with hashtags like #JusticeForDelhiStudent and #CampusSafetyNow trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Several women’s rights organizations are planning a nationwide protest march, calling for accountability, transparency, and reform in how universities handle sexual assault cases.
As the investigation continues, authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against both the perpetrator and any staff found guilty of negligence. Meanwhile, the survivor is receiving medical and psychological support, facilitated by local NGOs.
This horrifying case once again highlights a deep-rooted failure in campus safety mechanisms, reminding the nation that justice for survivors cannot wait — and neither can change.
