Chennai, November 23: A staff member of SRM University, identified as a sanitation cleaner, allegedly masturbated in front of a 2nd year undergraduate student inside the elevator. The incident, reported on Thursday, has led to a students' agitation on campus, alleging inaction by the varsity officials on the victim's sexual harassment complaint.

One of the protesting students, while speaking to reporters, said a section of the University officials have instead pinned the blame on students, charging of them of being "indecently dressed". Delhi Shocker: Man Masturbates in Bus, Commuters Watch While Girl Asks for Help.

SRM University Vice Chancellor Sandeep Sancheti, however, denied the allegations of inaction and said the administration would look into the complaint.

"Students are discussing with us. Whatever the matter is, it will be taken care of. If there is a matter, it will be inquired," he said.

According to a third year software engineering student who took part in the protest, the victim was allegedly sexually harassed inside the women's hostel lift at around 3 pm yesterday.

"The man masturbated in front of the woman student in the hostel lift, following which she reported the issue to the authorities," the student told news agency PTI.

According to another protester, the hostel warden, with whom the student had raised the issue, allegedly delayed access to the CCTV footage of the elevator and the registering of a complaint by over two hours.

"The employee was identified by the student in the CCTV footage. However she was asked to stay mum about the incident by the authorities," the protester said, adding that the hostel authorities allegedly blamed the victim.

Local police officials who reached the protest spot told PTI that the protesters dispersed after assurances from the university administration to look into the matter. However, they added that no complaint had been registered yet.

(With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 23, 2018 11:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).