JNU rape case: Varsity suspends accused scholar

New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) JNU has suspended a PhD scholar,who has been accused of rape by a fellow student, and declaredthe campus out of bounds for him pending an enquiry, a decisionwhich comes following protests from students and teachers. A 28-year-old research student has alleged that a fellowstudent, Anmol Ratan, raped her after offering her a spikeddrink in his hostel room in the university on August 20. Ratan, an activist of the left-affiliated All IndiaStudents’ Association (AISA), has also been expelled from thestudent outfit and police have booked him. While he evaded arrest at first, Ratan subsequentlysurrendered on August 24 and was sent to 14 days in judicialcustody. "Considering the seriousness of the case and in confirmitywith zero tolerance against sexual assault on women, AnmolRatan is suspended from the university with immediate effectduring pendency of the case," the suspension order read. "The entire JNU campus shall remain out of bounds forRatan during his suspension. Anyone found giving shelter toRatan in any hostel residence in the campus shall invitedisciplinary action against him or her," it added. The action came after the students and teachers stagedprotests demanding action against Ratan to ensure safety ofwomen on the campus and send out a strong message ofintolerance towards such incidents. University administration, has also asked the GenderSensitization Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH), toinvestigate the matter. GSCASH is the university’s panel to deal with complaintsof such nature. The rape case has become a centre of political agendasetting at JNU campus where student union polls are scheduledto be held in the next fortnight. Student wings of various political parties are trying toencash the issue ahead of the keenly contested polls. PTI GJSDIP DVDIP