Published Sep 23, 2026 | 10:54 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 23, 2026 | 10:54 AM
Lady Shri Ram College For Women–Delhi University
The renowned Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) in New Delhi moved classes online on Wednesday after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped in Aastha Kunj Park, near the college’s back gate.
“After we got to know about the unfortunate incident, we cancelled classes. The safety, security and well-being of our students is of paramount importance to us. We have requested our faculty mentors and college counsellor to remain available for any support students may require,” Principal Kanika K Ahuja was quoted as saying.
The 17-year-old girl from Faridabad had come to the Lotus Temple in Kalkaji with her friend to celebrate her birthday on Monday evening. She was allegedly raped by three men in the 142-acre Aastha Kunj Park, adjacent to the temple.
One of the three men was arrested after an encounter with the police about 50 metres from the college’s back gate early Tuesday morning. The other two alleged perpetrators were also arrested shortly afterwards.
The LSR Students’ Union was said to have approached the principal to strengthen security around the campus perimeter.
LSR’s principal Ahuja said she had requested increased patrolling from Amar Colony police station in the lanes beside the college, the back gate and nearby parks.
RJD MP Manoj Jha criticised the move by the college’s management.
“To put it bluntly, stating that offline classes are being shifted online because safety and security cannot be guaranteed is akin to the recent decision by IITs to replace ceiling fans with wall fans. You are simply refusing to address the root cause of the disease and instead relying on cosmetic, superficial measures to turn it into news. This is deeply concerning to me because despite all the grand claims made about initiatives like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,’ everything has collapsed completely on the ground,” he was quoted as saying.
On Twitter, a user named Keshav Kumar wrote: “Can’t be more shameful… Students can’t attend classes in Delhi for no mistake of their own.”
Lady Shri Ram College was established in 1956 by businessman Lala Shri Ram, then owner of DCM Textiles, in memory of his wife Phoolan Devi, also known as Lady Shri Ram. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, International Booker Prize-winning author Gitanjali Shree, former HSBC India head Naina Lal Kidwai, and actresses Aditi Rao Hydari and Shriya Saran are among LSR’s famous alumni.
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