Hostel warden wanted in sex scandal surrenders

Punitha (32), a divorcee from Thanneer Pandal Road, surrendered before JM 6 Kannan, who remanded her to judicial custody till July 14. She was on a run after the scandal was exposed by the inmates of the hostel on June 25. 

Police said that Punitha had reportedly taken five girls, who were staying in the ‘Darshana’ hostel at Jeeva Street in Hope College, to a private hotel in RS Puram for a party. “There, she compelled the girls to consume liquor and involve in sexual acts with the hostel owner Jagannathan. However, the girls had refused and informed their parents. This had resulted in protests,” police said. 

The Peelamedu police booked both the accused persons under the Prevention of Atrocities on Women Act, 2016. Police, however, could not trace Punitha as her mobile phone was switched off and she often kept changing location. Meanwhile, the hostel owner Jagannathan committed suicide allegedly by jumping into a well in Tirunelveli district. 

While Punitha was being taken to the Coimbatore Central Prison from the court, the members of All India Democratic Women’s Federation staged a gherao and raised slogans seeking severe action against her for trying to spoil the life of the girls. 

Meanwhile, police have decided to approach the court seeking seven days’ custody of Punitha to interrogate her on her illegal nexus and regarding the death of Jagannathan.