The International Student Director of Indus University in Ahmedabad has been accused of molesting a foreign female student. A complaint has been filed against the director, Mrudang Dave, with Bopal police. Dave was arrested by the Bopal police, following which the university dismissed the 52-year-old director Dave.
Dave has been accused of harassing the 21-year-old student from Papua New Guinea who is residing at the university’s hostel.
According to a complaint filed at Bopal police station, the harassment took place on the evening of September 11 at Neelkanth Society, near the Bopal railway underpass, where the university hostel is located. The victim had gone to the ground floor to have dinner, when Dave allegedly grabbed her and made inappropriate advances. Frightened by the situation, the student immediately fled to her room, but Dave reportedly followed her, continuing his attempts to harass her despite her attempts to evade him.
Megha Tevar, Superintendent of Police Headquarters Ahmedabad Rural, said, “The following day, Mrudang Dave allegedly threatened the student, warning her not to disclose the incident to anyone. He reportedly told her that if she spoke about it, her life would be in danger.” Fearing for her safety, the student confided in her brother, leading to a formal police complaint.
The victim has also alleged that Dave had previously harassed other female students, claiming that such behaviour has been ongoing for some time. Several students, she said, have reportedly faced similar harassment.
The Bopal police have registered a case of molestation and criminal intimidation against Dave, and an investigation is underway. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of other victims coming forward. “We arrested the accused on Sunday evening. While no other victims have come forward yet, we are investigating this aspect thoroughly,” Tevar further stated.
Following the incident, Indus University took immediate action, dismissing Dave from his position as Director of International Students. The case has raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of international students at the university, prompting authorities to call for urgent reforms to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
As of now, the university administration has yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.