Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday ordered a high-level probe into the allegations that private videos of several female students staying in a Chandigarh University hostel were leaked and widely shared on social media. Mann said strict action will be taken against those found guilty and appealed to people not to believe rumours.
“Sad to hear about the unfortunate incident at Chandigarh University...our daughters are our honour...a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident...severe action will be taken against whoever is found guilty,” he said in a tweet.
The Chandigarh University has dismissed claims that private videos of several girls were leaked and said only one girl student had shared her own personal video which was later circulated on social media. The student has been arrested.
The police also claimed that only one video clip has been shared on social media. “During preliminary investigation, it has come to light that a woman student, who had been apprehended, had shared her own video with someone stated to be from Himachal Pradesh whose role is also under the scanner,” Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Vivek Sheel Soni said.
The university in a statement also denied reports that several girl students tried to commit suicide after the rumours flew thick and fast. "There are rumours that seven girls have committed suicide whereas the fact is that no girl has attempted any such step. No girl has been admitted to the hospital in the incident,” Pro-Chancellor R.S. Bawa said.
“During the preliminary investigation conducted by the University, there have been no videos found of any student which are objectionable except a personal video shot by a girl which was shared by herself her boyfriend,” he further said, adding that the university is fully cooperating with the police in the investigation.
Chandigarh University students held massive protests in Mohali on Saturday midnight following rumours that objectionable videos of several female students were leaked and shared on Internet. The protesters alleged that one girl student made private videos of their hostel mates and sent those to a youth in Shimla who allegedly uploaded those on social media.
Police said they have taken into custody the mobile phones and electronic devices of the arrested girl and sent them for forensic examination.
