A shocking sequence of events has emerged in the murder of a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura in Dehradun, revealing a chilling lack of remorse from the accused. Anjel Chakma was stabbed on December 9 and succumbed to his injuries on December 26, but the assailants allegedly proceeded to buy liquor and celebrate immediately after the violent assault.
The Fatal Encounter and Immediate Aftermath
The incident unfolded at Dehradun's Selaqui market. Suraj Khwas had invited five friends to celebrate his son's first birthday. The plan was to purchase liquor and then head to a tea shop owned by Avinash Negi. The group, which included Khwas, Negi, Yagya Raj Awasthi, Sumit, and two juveniles, was outside the liquor shop when they encountered brothers Anjel and Michael Chakma.
According to Michael's police complaint, the group hurled racial slurs, calling them 'Chinese' and 'momo', before the confrontation turned physical. In the ensuing violence, Anjel was stabbed, and Michael was seriously injured. As Michael struggled to take his brother to the hospital, the accused group, police say, went back to their original plan: they bought the liquor, went to Negi's tea shop, and partied. Some of the accused did not return home for days following the attack.
Police Investigation and Conflicting Claims
While the victim's family and student bodies alleged a racially motivated attack, Dehradun's Senior Superintendent of Police, Ajai Singh, stated on Monday that "prima facie, there is no evidence of racial violence." He described it as a "hot clash" that started after confusion over a remark. The police version, based on an investigation officer, suggests the fight began when the Chakma brothers asked the laughing group what was funny.
The argument escalated violently, with the youngest accused hitting Michael with his 'kada'. Awasthi then allegedly grabbed a knife from a nearby fruit cart and stabbed Anjel. The murder weapon has not been recovered. Anjel Chakma, the son of a BSF head constable and a placed final-year MBA student, died from injuries to his head and spine.
Accused Profiles and Community Outcry
Three adult accused—Negi (25), Sumit (26), and Khwas (21)—are in judicial custody. The two juveniles (15 and 17) have been sent to correctional homes. Yagya Raj Awasthi (25), whose father is a priest in Haridwar and who hails from Nepal, remains on the run, with police teams pursuing him.
The FIR includes charges of murder and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, though police said three accused belonging to the SC/ST community would not be charged under the latter. The incident has sparked outrage in Uttarakhand and Northeast India. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami posted a video speaking to Anjel's father, but questions have been raised about the police's initial response.
Churanta Tripura of the Unified Tripura Students' Association alleged that police were slow to act, only becoming proactive after public outrage grew. Meanwhile, families of the accused expressed shock. Negi's mother, whose husband died while she was pregnant with him, said her son did not come home after the incident. Sumit's mother, Pavni, stated his phone was switched off that night, and she only learned of his arrest later.
The case continues to develop as police intensify the hunt for the main accused, Awasthi, and grapple with the serious allegations surrounding the tragic death of a young student.
