Madhya Pradesh: 22-year-old woman raped by clerk on university campus in Jabalpur; victim lured with fake job offer

JABALPUR: A 22-year-old woman was allegedly raped by a clerk of a state-run university on the campus, police said on Saturday. The incident reportedly occurred after the accused promised her a job at the Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur city.Police arrested Durga Shankar Singerha (58), an upper division clerk (UDC), and Mukesh Sen, a peon, in connection with the assault.According to authorities, the survivor, a resident of Tilwara, came across information about contractual vacancies at the university on social media about 20 days ago. While searching for contact details, she reportedly called the vice-chancellor’s office, and Singerha allegedly answered, informing her about the vacancies and asking her to visit the university with her documents.The woman went to the university the following day, where Singerha assured her that he could secure a job after consulting the vice-chancellor and asked her to maintain contact. Police said Singerha continued to meet her several times in the city, repeatedly assuring her that the recruitment process was in progress and that an interview would be scheduled soon.On Thursday, Singerha allegedly called her to the university claiming an interview would be conducted. He then asked her to visit Mukesh Sen’s residence on campus. Once inside, the peon reportedly left the room, locking the door from outside.“The woman alleged that Singerha raped her despite her protests,” police said. Following the assault, the accused allegedly dropped her outside the campus and threatened her with defamation, promising her a job if she remained silent.The survivor later informed her family and filed a complaint at Adhartal police station. Both accused were arrested from their homes within hours. They were produced before a court on Friday and remanded in judicial custody.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)