The Kalady police on Sunday arrested four students of the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit based on a complaint filed by the university's Vice-Chancellor Ciza Thomas, alleging that the accused had assaulted her. However, the police are yet to disclose the identities of those arrested.

The incident occurred on August 13, when the Vice-Chancellor was leaving the university after a syndicate meeting at around 5.30 pm. A group of more than 18 students, including SFI activists, allegedly obstructed the Vice-Chancellor, her personal staff and members of the university syndicate outside the administrative block.

The Vice-Chancellor alleged that when she attempted to leave, members of the group pushed her and pulled her hair, causing injuries.

She further alleged that the students damaged her official vehicle as she was leaving the university at around 7.15 pm.

Apart from the physical assault, the Vice-Chancellor said the incident caused her immense mental distress. She also stated that earlier in the day, at around 2.30 pm, the group had staged a symbolic funeral ritual for her as part of their protest.

The accused have been identified as Archana, Abhijith, Rithisha Rithu, Aswanth, Asritha, Libin Kottarathil, Anamika, Rithisha, Shymjith, Jishnu, Dona, Aiswarya, Vismaya, another Aiswarya, Devika, Athulya, Shiva, Muhammad Midhilaj and other identifiable SFI members.

Following the incident, the Kalady police registered a case against 19 individuals, including SFI activists, under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The sections invoked include those relating to unlawful assembly, rioting, wrongful restraint, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful confinement, assault or criminal force against a woman, and assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging official duties.