Kovai hostel sex scam: Owner, warden on the run

Police said the warden Punitha, 32, a divorcee with two children, took five girls staying in the hostel ‘Darshana’ to a private hotel for a party. “She took the girls at hostel owner Jagannathan’s birthday party two days ago. After having dinner, Punitha wanted the girls to consume liquor, however, they refused.” 

“She also forced the girls to speak through a video call to Jagannathan and asked them for sexual favours and promised cash payment. She had also tried to lure them by waiving their hostel fees,” an officer said. The warden had also threatened them with dire consequences if they spilled the beans. 

The girls, however, narrated their ordeal to their parents and fellow hostel mates. The parents later visited the hostel and sought action against the warden and hostel owner. 

The Peelamedu police have booked both the accused under Prevention of Atrocities on Women Act, 2016  and other Acts for for issuing death threats. A senior police officer said three special teams have been formed to nab the culprits, who are on the run. Meanwhile, enquiries revealed that Punitha was involved in a similar incident in Kerala. 

“However, the girls managed to return to Coimbatore, but never reported the incident,” another officer said.  Police suspect a bigger network might be at play. Meanwhile, inmates of the hostel, comprising software professionals, college students and working women have begun to vacate. There are around 180 girls staying in the hostel. 

In a similar incident in April this year, a woman assistantprofessor, Nirmala Devi, of a private college in Virudhunagar district, had allegedly asked students to extend sexual favours to the officials of Madurai Kamaraj University, in return for marks and cash.