Tea stall worker from UP arrested for sexually harassing IIT-M research scholar

CHENNAI: Roughly a month after a biryani vendor outside Anna University was arrested for sexually assaulting a student inside the campus, police arrested a worker at a tea stall outside IIT-Madras on Tuesday evening for allegedly sexually harassing a woman pursuing PhD from the institute.

According to police sources, the incident took place around 6pm on Tuesday. As the student raised an alarm, onlookers and other students nabbed the man and handed him over to the Kotturpuram Police.

The man has been identified as Sriram, a native of Uttar Pradesh, who has been working at a bakery in the neighbourhood, according to police.

Sriram was produced before a magistrate and has been remanded in judicial custody.

While the institute issued a statement confirming the incident, it stressed that it took place "outside" the campus in the Velachery-Taramani region, and the accused was caught by male students who were accompanying the research scholar.

"The police apprehended the accused and informed the institute. The accused worked in a bakery outside the campus and has no connection with IIT-M. IIT Madras has installed CCTV cameras across the campus and has taken adequate measures to ensure the safety of its inhabitants. Students are also advised to take precautions while stepping outside. The institute is extending all necessary support to the student," an official statement said.