In a significant development in Hisar, the chairman of a private nursing college has been taken into custody following serious allegations of misconduct and harassment by students. The arrest came after days of sustained protest by the student community, leading to legal action under stringent laws.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
The Hansi police on Thursday arrested Jagidash Swami, the chairman of Khushi College of Nursing located in Kagsar village, Narnaund. The arrest was made in connection with a First Information Report (FIR) registered based on complaints filed by several students of the college. After his arrest, the police produced Swami before a court in Hansi, which subsequently ordered him to be sent to judicial custody.
As part of the investigative process, the police took the accused chairman to the college premises before presenting him in court. At the site, officials formally demarcated and marked the alleged scene of the crime to gather and preserve evidence. Police officials confirmed that provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been added to the case, escalating the legal severity of the charges.
The Backdrop of Student Protest and Allegations
The arrest marked the culmination of a prolonged protest staged by nursing students of the college over multiple days. The demonstrations concluded only on Wednesday evening after Hansi MLA Vinod Bhayana, along with representatives from various khap panchayats, announced that the chairman had been arrested and that sections of the SC/ST Act were being invoked in the FIR.
The FIR was registered against chairman Jagidash Swami, his son Amandeep Goswami, and his wife. The charges pressed against them include:
- Section 75(2) of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita pertaining to sexual harassment.
- Section 79 for word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
- Section 3(3) for common intention.
Police recorded statements from 8 to 9 students before formally registering the case. One of the complainants provided a harrowing account, alleging that while she was on her way to the mess, the chairman called her, took her to a bathroom, molested her, and attempted to remove her clothes. The FIR further details an allegation that he later called her to another student's room and forced her to massage the feet of his favourite student.
Legal and Social Repercussions
This case has brought to light serious concerns about the safety and security of students in private educational institutions. The invocation of the SC/ST Act indicates that the alleged offences may have been committed with a caste-based motive, adding another critical dimension to the investigation.
The involvement of local political and community leaders, like MLA Vinod Bhayana and khap representatives, underscores the social gravity of the incident and the pressure that led to swift police action. The judicial custody of the chairman signifies that the legal process is now formally underway, and further investigations are expected to follow.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the mechanisms available for seeking justice and the importance of student voices in highlighting institutional malpractices. The authorities' response, including the prompt recording of statements and the addition of stringent legal sections, will be closely watched as the case progresses through the judicial system.
