UF Postdoctoral Researcher Charged with Misdemeanor Battery After Committing Sexual Assault

Sunday morning, Gainesville Police Department officers arrested Kanal Elamparithi Balu, 34, and charged him with misdemeanor battery.

According to the arrest report, Balu and the victim were with a group drinking alcohol. Balu was reportedly the least intoxicated out of everyone.

The victim told police she became ill from drinking too much and began passing in and out of consciousness. On various occasions throughout the night, the victim woke up to Balu sexually assaulting her.

During his police interview, Balu reportedly said he only touched the victim’s breast once on accident and that he “cuddled” with her because she was shivering. Balu admitted the victim did not consent to cuddling, the arrest report states.

According to Balu’s LinkedIn, he is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Florida (UF). He was placed on administrative leave Monday pending review, UF Public Affairs Director Cynthia Roldon told GnvInfo.

The Alachua County Jail is holding Balu on a $50,000 bond.