A girl student at a private engineering college near Chinnasalem in Kallakurichi district was allegedly assaulted by four classmates who believed she was possessed, prompting a police inquiry after her parents filed a complaint.
The student, from Vanapuram, is pursuing a B.Tech course and had been staying in a room with four other students. According to the complaint cited in the report, the roommates became suspicious of changes in her behaviour and allegedly concluded that she was under the influence of a supernatural force.
The classmates reportedly tried to drive away the supposed spirit rather than seek medical or professional assistance. They allegedly lit camphor on the student’s hand and beat her with a broom. The camphor caused burn injuries, according to the report.
The four students were reportedly from Cuddalore, Vriddhachalam and Vanapuram. The alleged assault came to light after the student’s parents learnt what had happened and approached Chinnasalem police, seeking action against the classmates. Police have begun an inquiry based on the complaint.
The college management reportedly responded after learning about the incident and removed the four girls from the institution. The report does not specify whether the removals are temporary or permanent, or whether the college has initiated a formal internal investigation.
The case places renewed attention on the safety arrangements required in residential educational campuses, where students may live away from their families and depend on roommates, wardens and institutional administrators during emergencies. It also raises questions about how colleges identify and respond to sudden behavioural or health-related concerns among students.
In a residential setting, a student’s change in behaviour can involve a range of possible medical, psychological or personal circumstances. The alleged response in this case substituted a ritual for professional intervention and resulted in reported physical injuries. The police inquiry will establish the circumstances of the incident and the responsibility of those involved.
The report does not provide details of the student’s current medical condition, whether she has received treatment for the burn injuries, or what formal support the college has offered her. It also does not state whether any arrests or charges have been made. The immediate official action reported so far is the police inquiry following the parents’ complaint.
