Pune: After Students’ Overnight Protest, SPPU Forms Panel to Probe Alleged Moral Policing Near Girls’ Hostel; Two Male Students Suspended
Pune, 12th October 2026: Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has decided to file a police complaint against two male students accused of allegedly intimidating a female student and subjecting her to moral policing near the girls’ hostel. The university has suspended their entry to their academic departments and the hostel with immediate effect and appointed a high-level committee to investigate the incident, the university PRO said in a statement.
The action follows protests by female students on Sunday night after the incident, which allegedly took place on October 11. The students accused the duo of asking a female student unnecessary questions and questioning her conduct near the hostel.
Following the incident, the student concerned and other female students went to Chatushrungi police station to lodge a complaint. They reportedly remained at the police station from 1am to 6am, demanding that the university administration take the initiative to file a police complaint against the accused students. The students later returned without the action they had sought, alleging that they had not received the expected response from the vice-chancellor, registrar and other senior officials.
On Monday, October 12, the students met the vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellor and registrar around 12.30pm and submitted a memorandum seeking action against the two students.
Their key demands included a police complaint by the university, strict disciplinary action against the accused, including cancellation of their admission as per university rules, and stronger CCTV surveillance and security arrangements around the girls’ hostel.
The university subsequently said it had taken the matter seriously in view of the safety of female students on campus. A high-level committee appointed by the vice-chancellor will investigate the incident, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty, the university said.
The protesting students said the incident should not be treated as a minor dispute, but as a matter concerning the safety, dignity and freedom of women on campus. They warned that their agitation would continue if concrete decisions and appropriate action were not taken on their demands.
