A gang rape survivor and IIT student from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has petitioned the fast-track court to permit her to attend hearings through video conferencing.

She highlighted the academic disruptions caused by frequent court appearances and the emotional distress of encountering her alleged attackers in person.

The court reserved its decision for November 21, as stated by the student's lawyer.

District Assistant Public Prosecutor Manoj Kumar Gupta stated that the student, recognized for her academic excellence, was selected for IIT-BHU immediately after completing her 12th grade.

District Assistant Public Prosecutor Manoj Kumar Gupta explained that the slow pace of court proceedings requires the student to make repeated appearances, which is disrupting her studies. Additionally, the emotional distress of facing her alleged attackers in court has caused significant discomfort.

Gupta noted that the student's petition emphasized the negative impact of these repeated court visits on her academic performance, as well as the mental toll of confronting the accused. She has requested that the court consider these factors and allow her to attend future hearings via video conferencing.

He further mentioned that the case, being heard by Judge Kuldeep Singh in the fast-track court, relates to an incident on November 1, 2023, when the student and a friend were allegedly accosted by three men on a motorbike while walking outside the hostel. The men are said to have restrained her, forced her to strip at gunpoint, recorded the assault, and subsequently gang-raped her. This horrific event triggered widespread protests from students, demanding the arrest of the perpetrators and improved campus safety.

The suspects, identified as Kunal Pandey, Anand (alias Abhishek Chauhan), and Saksham Patel, were allegedly linked to the BJP's IT cell. They were arrested two months after the incident, with Pandey and Chauhan later granted bail by the high court. Patel's bail hearing is still pending.