Rajkot Sessions Court Grants Conditional Bail to Five AIIMS MBBS Students in Suicide Case
The sessions court in Rajkot delivered a significant ruling on Thursday, granting conditional bail to five final-year MBBS students from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot. The students were implicated in the tragic suicide of a fellow student, who jumped in front of a train near Ghanteshwar on March 16. This decision follows intense legal arguments from both the prosecution and defense, highlighting complex factors surrounding the case.
Background of the Case and Allegations
The deceased student's father had filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the five accused: Pranav Paliwal, Asmit Sharma, Ayush Yadav, Nirvighnam Nur Yadav, and Yuvraj Choudhary. The FIR alleged that these students engaged in severe physical and mental torture against the victim, including filming beatings and defaming him, which ultimately drove him to take his own life. The prosecution strongly opposed bail, arguing that the suicide note explicitly named all five students as responsible for the death, and their actions constituted a strong prima facie case under relevant legal provisions.
Defense Arguments and Key Findings
Advocate Tushar Gokani, leading the defense, presented a compelling counter-argument. He emphasized that the 17-page suicide note lacked the essential elements required for abetment to suicide. Gokani highlighted critical details: the deceased had a documented history of mental illness, requiring medication for eight years, and the suicide was primarily motivated by unrequited one-sided love for a fellow student, as repeatedly mentioned in the notes.
Furthermore, Gokani pointed out that the college had sent the deceased to his home in Rajasthan on January 30, 2026, due to his disturbed mental condition. The student only returned to Rajkot on March 13 to write his final-year exams, with no immediate interaction or incident between him and the accused before the suicide. The defense also challenged the application of the Atrocity Act, arguing there was no evidence of casteist abuses against the deceased.
Court's Decision and Bail Conditions
After carefully considering all arguments, Additional Sessions Judge S A Galaria granted conditional bail to all five students. The court imposed strict conditions to ensure the integrity of the legal process. The accused must not take undue advantage of their liberty, refrain from making any inducements, threats, or promises to individuals acquainted with the case facts, and surrender their passports if they possess any. Additionally, each student is required to furnish a bail bond of Rs 25,000.
Broader Implications and Case Details
This case has drawn attention to issues of mental health and peer dynamics in educational institutions. Gokani noted that the deceased wrote three different suicide notes in the two months preceding his death, naming various individuals. However, a common thread across all notes was his obsession with a fellow student and resentment toward the accused, whom he mistakenly believed were in a relationship with her. The court's ruling underscores the importance of thorough evidence evaluation in such sensitive matters, balancing justice with compassion.
