Panjab University student arrested in US for molestation

CHANDIGARH - A Panjab University (PU) student, participating in the 56th session of Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) in Boston city, US, has been arrested following a complaint of molestation by a local resident there, a member of the group said Tuesday.

The student was part of the group from the PU, who had gone to Boston to participate in the HNMUN, held there Feb 11-14.

“He is a student of university’s Institute of Legal Studies. He was arrested by police Sunday from the hotel where we all are staying,” a PU student, who is accompanying the group, requesting not to be named, told IANS over the phone from Boston.

“There was a party Saturday night at Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers, where all the students who had come to participate in the HNMUN were staying. He is accused of molesting a girl (resident of Boston), under the influence of liquor during the party,” the student added.

This year PU had officially sent 21 students to participate in the HNMUN but the arrested student was among the other dozen students who had applied, in their individual capacity, by applying online.

PU authorities expressed ignorance over this arrest.

“So far, we have not received any official information from Boston police or anywhere else. So it is not appropriate for us to comment on this matter,” Dean of Students’ Welfare (DSW) Naval Kishore said.

Amit Bhatia, president of university campus students’ council, said: “Some of the students, who are in Boston right now, have informed us about this arrest. But we also do not have any official confirmation.”