Delhi: South Asian University student sexually assaulted, FIR filed

A student of South Asian University (SAU) in Delhi was allegedly sexually assaulted on campus, the police said on Tuesday. An FIR has been registered and an investigation is underway.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan, a PCR call regarding the incident was received at the Maidan Garhi police station around 3 PM on Monday. A police team was immediately dispatched to the university campus.

“The call was made by someone known to the girl. She is currently being counselled,” the DCP said in an official statement. “Based on the statement of the victim, an FIR has been registered under appropriate sections. The matter is being investigated with due sensitivity and priority.”

The police have not shared further details about the incident or the accused, citing the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Delhi continues to record the highest number of crimes against women among India’s 19 metropolitan cities, with over 13,000 cases registered in 2023. These included the most cases of rape (1,088) and dowry deaths (114) reported across metros.

Although overall crimes against women in the capital saw a 5.59% decline compared to 2022, when 14,158 cases were recorded, several categories remain areas of concern. Cases of kidnapping and abduction of women stood at 3,952, placing Delhi second only to Patna in crime rate. The city also reported six acid attack incidents and the highest number of cases of cruelty by husbands (4,219) and assault with intent to outrage modesty (1,791).

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Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Delhi recorded 1,048 cases of rape of girl children, the highest among all metropolitan areas.

However, cybercrimes targeting women were relatively fewer in Delhi, with 36 cases registered, compared to higher numbers in Bengaluru (127), Hyderabad (53), and Lucknow (41).

Police officials have attributed the capital’s high figures partly to its “zero-tolerance policy” and the prompt registration of FIRs, which, they said, reflects transparency and proactive policing rather than a rise in unreported crimes.