US prosecutors have reopened an investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University, following public outrage and claims in a civil lawsuit that the elite Ivy League institution failed to properly punish the students involved.

The complainant, whose identity remains protected, stated in a 101-page civil lawsuit filed in New York this month that she was drugged with ketamine, assaulted, and raped in 2024 by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity.

The suit provides digital evidence, including a screenshot of a Snapchat group message sent during the assault inviting other fraternity members to take part.

Matthew Van Houten, the district attorney for Tompkins County in New York, announced plans to file criminal charges against the seven men.

He explained that whilst his office declined to prosecute in 2024 because the victim's initial testimony did not establish a lack of consent, new evidence presented in the civil action prompted a reversal.

"I recognise the reality that it can take years of therapy and healing for victims of sexual assaults to fully process and understand what happened to them," Van Houten said in a statement.

"Seeking justice sometimes requires us to reconsider or reopen cases when we are provided with additional evidence."

Mounting political backlash

Cornell closed the fraternity chapter and temporarily suspended the students involved, several of whom were later expelled.

Kyle Kimball, vice president of university relations, affirmed the university supports the renewed inquiry whilst rejecting claims that suspects were offered essay writing to mitigate penalties.

"Any suggestion that the university did not impose consequential punishments for those involved is false," Kimball said.

The lawsuit seeks financial damages from Cornell and the seven suspects, asserting the survivor sustained severe psychological trauma.

The case has ignited fierce national debate.