A shocking allegation has emerged from the heart of the national capital. A first-year B.Tech student at Delhi’s South Asian University (SAU) has accused four men of attempting to gang rape her on the university campus, raising fresh questions about student safety in higher education institutions.
The survivor, in her statement to the Delhi Police, said the incident occurred in an isolated under-construction area of the campus on Monday afternoon. The men allegedly tore her clothes, groped her, and attempted to sexually assault her before she managed to escape and alert authorities.
“The four accused tore my clothes, touched me, and tried to rape me,” the student said in her complaint.
A PCR call was received at Maidan Garhi Police Station around 3 pm, following which a team reached the spot. Initially, a case of molestation was registered, but after the student’s detailed statement, charges of attempted gang rape were added to the FIR, officials confirmed.
Police have begun a detailed investigation and are scanning CCTV footage from the areas mentioned by the student.
“Cameras are installed at almost every location inside the university. The footage is being examined to identify and trace the accused,” a senior police officer said.
The area where the incident allegedly occurred has ongoing construction, making it less frequented and poorly lit, according to students on campus. Police forensic teams have also visited the scene to collect evidence.
Meanwhile, the university administration has said it is “cooperating fully” with investigators and will take “strict action” once the findings are known.
Following the incident, a wave of outrage and fear spread through the South Asian University community.
Hundreds of students staged a protest on campus, demanding accountability and greater safety measures, including improved surveillance, lighting, and security patrols in isolated areas.
“We are not safe even inside our university. This is supposed to be an international campus, not a crime scene,” one protesting student said.
The administration is yet to issue an official statement, though sources said internal security protocols are being reviewed urgently.
Founded under the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) framework, South Asian University is an international institution bringing together students from all eight member countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan.
The university operates under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and is considered a symbol of regional cooperation and academic excellence. The incident, however, has cast a shadow on that reputation.
This case comes just days after another young woman an 18-year-old MBBS student from Haryana was allegedly raped at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar. Activists say such recurring cases point to a larger crisis in urban safety, particularly for women in educational spaces.
“Whether it’s a public street or a university campus, women continue to be unsafe. It’s time institutions treat security as a basic right, not an afterthought,” said women’s rights advocate Nivedita Rao.
The alleged attack at South Asian University is not just another headline it’s a reminder that safety cannot be compromised, even in spaces meant to empower minds.
Universities must move beyond symbolic measures and ensure real, structural safety for every student. Because no one should have to fear walking through their own campus.
