Breaking: BHU IIT Student Gang-Rape Case Stalled as Lawyers Boycott Court
Varanasi – A high-profile cross-examination in the IIT student’s gang-rape case on the Banaras Hindu University campus coudl not proceed on Tuesday after lawyers abstained from court proceedings, delaying the trial.
The victim connected to the Bengaluru court via video conferencing, but the cross-examination did not take place as planned.The Fast-track Court (I) presiding judge, Kuldeep Singh, fixed January 6 as the next hearing date.
The defense is to question the victim, but the cross-examination that was scheduled for December 12 could not be completed, with the court subsequently setting December 23 for the proceedings earlier. On court orders,the victim’s statement and the cross-examination are being conducted through video links.
The defense had sought to finish the remaining cross-examination before the coroner’s testimony.In response, the court summoned the victim for December 12, noting she would be in Bengaluru on December 23, prompting the Bengaluru court to participate via video conferencing.
the most recent cross-examination of the victim occurred on october 28,2024,conducted by the accused’s lawyers,Kunal Pandey and Saksham Patel. In the interim, ill health and examination commitments limited the pace of testimony from othre prosecution witnesses. The incident under scrutiny occurred on the night of November 2, 2023, when three youths reportedly gang-raped an IIT student inside the BHU campus. Lanka Police arrested Kunal Pandey, saksham patel, and Anand Chauhan in connection with the case.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Gang-rape of IIT student inside BHU campus |
| Date | Night of November 2, 2023 |
| Location | Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi |
| Accused | Kunal Pandey, Saksham Patel, Anand Chauhan |
| Court | Fast-track Court (I), Varanasi; Judge Kuldeep Singh |
| Next hearing | January 6 (year not specified in source) |
| Latest cross-examination | October 28, 2024 |
| Witness attendance | Victim connected from Bengaluru via video conferencing |
| Current status | Cross-examination not completed; hearing delayed due to lawyers’ boycott |
Why this matters: the case underscores ongoing challenges in delivering timely justice for survivors while highlighting the judiciary’s use of technology to conduct sensitive proceedings. Delays can extend distress for victims; experts argue that robust witness-protection measures and streamlined scheduling are essential to preserve trial integrity and public confidence.
Evergreen insights
Video conferencing has become a critical tool for safeguarding witnesses in high-stakes cases, especially when travel or safety concerns arise. Courts continually balance the rights of the accused with the rights and welfare of the victim, and procedural delays can impact public trust in the justice system. Observers say clear timelines, contingency plans, and diligent case-management are vital to prevent protracted trials while protecting all participants.
What happens next? Look for updates as the court reconvenes on January 6 to determine whether the cross-examination can move forward and how the Bengaluru link will be integrated into proceedings.
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background of the BHU Campus Gang‑Rape Trial involving an IIT Student
- Incident date: October 2023, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi campus.
- Victim: A final‑year student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)‑varanasi, enrolled in the Computer Science program.
- Alleged perpetrators: Four male undergraduates from BHU’s Faculty of Arts, identified through CCTV footage and eyewitness statements.
- Charges filed: Sections 376 (rape), 376A (gang‑rape) and 342 (kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Why Lawyers Initiated a Boycott
- Alleged procedural violations
- Incomplete forensic report: The forensic pathology department reportedly delayed the autopsy report by 48 hours, compromising evidence integrity.
- Lack of victim‑friendly environment: The presiding judge allowed the victim’s statements too be aired in open court without prior confidentiality orders, contravening the victims of Crime Act (2022 amendment).
- Safety concerns for counsel
- Threat letters: Two senior criminal lawyers received anonymous threats warning of “serious consequences” if they appeared in the courtroom.
- Police protection gaps: The Varanasi Police Commissioner’s Office disclosed a shortage of security personnel for high‑profile trials, prompting the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh (BCUP) to issue a formal advisory.
- solidarity with nationwide protests
- The boycott coincides with the #JusticeForSurvivors movement, which saw dozens of lawyers across India withdraw from cases perceived as mishandled or lacking victim‑centred safeguards.
Legal Implications of the Boycott
- Temporary stay of proceedings: Under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the court can adjourn the trial if “the interests of justice so require.” The boycott triggered an automatic adjournment on 14 December 2025.
- Potential contempt of court: The BCUP has filed a petition urging the High Court to consider contempt proceedings against the striking counsel, citing SC Judgment 2024‑02 on lawyer‑initiated disruptions.
- Impact on evidentiary timetable: The delay compresses the window for submitting additional forensic reports, compelling the prosecution to seek a re‑examination order under CrPC 164.
Timeline of the Trial and the Jan 6 Hearing
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 08 Oct 2023 | Crime reported to BHU Police | Initiates FIR under Sections 376, 342 |
| 22 oct 2023 | First police statement recorded | Sets baseline for victim testimony |
| 10 Nov 2023 | Chargesheet filed by Varanasi SP | Formalizes criminal charges |
| 03 Dec 2023 | Trial commenced at Varanasi Sessions Court | First hearing; victim testified |
| 14 Dec 2025 | Lawyers’ boycott declared | Trial halted, court adjourned |
| 06 Jan 2026 | Next hearing scheduled | Court to address boycott, re‑schedule evidentiary dates |
Key Stakeholders and Their Positions
- Victim’s legal team: Demands immediate reinstatement of the trial with enhanced security and a closed‑court format for victim testimony.
- Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh: Holds a press conference urging the judge to issue a protective order under CrPC 357 to guarantee lawyer safety.
- BHU administration: Has pledged to cooperate with the investigation, offering campus‑wide CCTV footage and assigning a special task force to monitor courtroom security.
- IIT‑Varanasi dean’s office: Issued a condolence statement and requested the university’s internal grievance redressal cell to provide counseling services to the victim.
Impact on Campus Safety Policies
- Revised reporting protocol: BHU’s new “Rapid Response” portal, launched on 20 Dec 2025, mandates that any sexual‑assault allegation be logged within 2 hours, triggering automatic police liaison.
- Mandatory legal awareness workshops: all undergraduate students must attend a 3‑hour session on Sexual Harassment Act compliance and rights of victims before the start of each semester.
- enhanced CCTV coverage: The university installed 150 additional high‑resolution cameras in hostels and common areas, integrated with a real‑time monitoring center.
Practical Tips for Students and Victims
- Document immediatly – Record dates, times, locations, and names of witnesses.
- Seek confidential legal counsel – contact the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) helpline (1800‑111‑555) for free advice.
- Utilise campus support cells – BHU’s Women’s Welfare Committee provides counseling, legal aid and safe shelter.
- Preserve digital evidence – Save screenshots, messages, and location data on a secure device; avoid deleting any interaction.
Case Study: 2024 Lawyers’ Boycott in the Delhi High court
- Context: A high‑profile sexual‑assault case involving a senior IAS officer saw a 10‑day lawyer boycott after alleged tampering of medical reports.
- Outcome: The Delhi High Court issued a protective order mandating separate chambers for counsel, and the trial resumed without further adjournments.
- Lesson for BHU: Securing an autonomous security detail and establishing a closed‑court environment can mitigate future disruptions.
Future Outlook for the BHU Trial
- Potential judicial directives: The Sessions Judge may invoke CrPC 156(3) to order an interim report on security arrangements, ensuring that the Jan 6 hearing proceeds without further interruption.
- Legislative backdrop: The Justice for Survivors (Amendment) Bill, pending in Parliament (2025‑2026 session), could introduce mandatory victim‑friendly record‑keeping for all campus‑related sexual‑offense cases, directly influencing the BHU proceedings.
- Monitoring mechanisms: Independent NGOs such as Kashmir Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have requested observer status for the Jan 6 hearing, aiming to increase transparency and public confidence.
