Editor’s Note: This article includes mention of sexual assault.
The IU Police Department arrested an IU student on alleged rape charges Sunday after responding to a call around 10:30 p.m. at Union Street Center Birch Hall.
IUPD was called regarding a male overdosing on an unknown drug, according to an IUPD press release.
When officers arrived, the original caller informed dispatch, 911 center, that the male woke up and was attacking her. Officers were given this information by the dispatch center.
IUPD officers arrived at the room and observed the male, later identified as IU student Kalp Patel, with a female who was yelling for help. According to the release, IUPD took Patel into custody.
The female student told IUPD detectives she had entered Patel’s room because she was told it sounded like someone was in distress and entered the room after multiple attempts to receive an answer. She said she thought Patel was in need of medical attention and called for an ambulance.
As she called, Patel woke up and allegedly attempted to rape her. According to the release, the female student was able to fight Patel off until officers arrived and took him into custody.
IUPD does not know what drugs, if any, Patel could have taken. He was first transported to IU Health Bloomington Hospital, then later to the Monroe County Correctional Facility.
Patel has been booked into jail on the charges of rape, criminal confinement, and strangulation, along with various minor crimes.
