BAMS Student's Tragic Death in Saharanpur Sparks Ragging and Murder Allegations
A first-year Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) student from Delhi has died under tragic circumstances near his college in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred late on Sunday evening and has since ignited serious allegations of ragging and foul play from the victim's family and fellow students.
Details of the Incident and Immediate Aftermath
Vishal Gautam, a 25-year-old Dalit student and resident of Budh Vihar Phase 1 in Delhi, was enrolled at the Guru Dronacharya Ayurvedic Institute just last month. According to police reports, Gautam and a fellow student were riding a motorcycle on Sunday evening when they were struck by an unidentified speeding vehicle near Khushalipur village, approximately 500 meters from the institute premises.
The impact proved fatal for Gautam, who sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot. His companion survived the collision but sustained injuries requiring hospitalization. Following the incident, college staff and students promptly informed local authorities, and Gautam's family rushed to the scene from Delhi.
Family Allegations and Police Response
The situation escalated dramatically when family members and Bhim Army activists staged protests outside the campus, alleging that Gautam's death was not an accident but a planned murder resulting from systematic ragging. Gautam's father, Pate Bahadur, made several disturbing claims about the circumstances surrounding his son's death.
"He was being harassed and ragged by seniors since his admission," Bahadur stated. "He filed multiple complaints, but no action was taken. After his death, the staff disappeared and stopped responding." The grieving father further alleged that accused students forcibly took Gautam out on a motorcycle, tampered with his phone, murdered him, and then staged the scene to appear as an accident.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation Status
Based on a formal complaint filed by Gautam's father, police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against six students identified as Mohit, Harsh, Harshit, Asif, Shivam, and Monu Pandit, along with the college management. The charges have been filed under BNS sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 61 (criminal conspiracy). Notably, provisions of the SC/ST Act have not been invoked in this case at this stage.
Biharigarh Station House Officer Akshay Sharma confirmed that "The FIR includes allegations of ongoing ragging and mental harassment. We are verifying these claims through witness statements, CCTV footage and forensic evidence." Meanwhile, SP (rural) Sagar Jain provided additional context, stating "Initial evidence points to a road accident. However, all allegations are being investigated. The role of college staff and students will be examined. CCTV footage is being reviewed to trace the vehicle involved."
Institutional Silence and Community Response
The Guru Dronacharya Ayurvedic Institute has maintained complete silence regarding the incident, failing to respond to multiple requests for comment. This institutional silence has further fueled suspicions and anger among protesters, who accuse the college administration of negligence and complicity in covering up ragging incidents.
The protest outside the campus gained momentum as more students joined family members in demanding justice for Gautam. Demonstrators highlighted what they described as a pattern of ignored complaints about ragging at the institute, suggesting systemic failures in student protection mechanisms.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Developments
This tragic incident raises significant questions about ragging prevention mechanisms in professional colleges across India, particularly in medical education institutions. The conflicting narratives between initial police assessments of a road accident and family allegations of murder present a complex investigative challenge for authorities.
Key aspects of the ongoing investigation include:
- Forensic analysis of the accident scene and vehicles involved
- Examination of CCTV footage from the institute and surrounding areas
- Interviews with witnesses, including the injured student
- Review of Gautam's previous complaints about ragging
- Assessment of the college's response to ragging allegations
As the investigation continues, the case has drawn attention to the persistent problem of ragging in educational institutions and the need for more effective prevention and response mechanisms. The outcome of this investigation will likely have implications for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly when allegations of institutional negligence accompany tragic student deaths.
