Principal Apprehended After Student's Tragic Self-Immolation
In a significant development in the Muzaffarnagar student suicide case, the principal of DAV PG College in Budhana was arrested late Saturday night. Pradeep Kumar, who had been evading authorities since the incident, was finally taken into custody near Sadda Adda Dhaba close to Byawala Chowki on November 15.
The arrest comes exactly one week after 20-year-old Ujjwal Rana, a second-year BA student, set himself on fire on the college campus. The tragic incident occurred on November 8 when college administration allegedly denied him examination forms due to unpaid semester fees.
The Fee Dispute That Led to Tragedy
According to police reports and witness statements, Rana had paid only Rs 1,750 of the approximately Rs 7,000 in semester fees owed to the institution. This partial payment led to the college administration refusing to issue his examination forms, sparking the chain of events that culminated in the young student's drastic action.
Disturbing videos from the campus captured the moment when Rana was engulfed in flames. He sustained burns over more than 75% of his body and was immediately rushed for medical treatment. Despite efforts to save him, Rana succumbed to his injuries on November 9 while undergoing treatment in Delhi.
Video Statement Points to Institutional Failure
In a heartbreaking video recorded just one day before his death, Ujjwal Rana made serious allegations against the college principal and local police personnel. The student claimed that Principal Pradeep Kumar had publicly humiliated and physically assaulted him over the fee dispute.
Rana further alleged that when he attempted to raise the fee issue with authorities, police personnel beat him instead of addressing his complaint. In his recorded message, the student explicitly stated: "If anything happens to me, the principal and the three police officials should be held responsible."
Expanding Investigation and Multiple Arrests
Following Rana's death, the First Information Report (FIR) was upgraded to include more serious sections, with abetment to suicide charges added to the case. This marks the second major arrest in the investigation, following the earlier detention of the college's physical training instructor, Sanjay Kumar, just two days after the incident.
The net of accountability has widened significantly, with college manager Arvind Kumar Garg and three police officials - SI Nand Kishore, constable Gyanveer, and officer Vineet Kumar - also named as accused in the case.
Muzaffarnagar SP Sanjai Kumar confirmed that the three policemen have been sent on leave while investigators continue gathering evidence, including records, CCTV footage, and witness statements.
Family Background and Growing Protests
Ujjwal Rana, a resident of Bhadal village in Baghpat, came from a humble background. He was the son of a sugarcane farmer and had lost his mother earlier. His sister, Saloni, filed the initial complaint after the tragic incident.
The case has sparked sustained protests outside the college, with family members and student groups demanding justice. Protesters have called for a magisterial inquiry and compensation of Rs 1 crore for the bereaved family.
The demonstrations have gained significant traction, with prominent farmer leader Rakesh Tikait joining the protests. Tikait strongly criticized the system, stating: "The system killed Ujjwal Rana. He kept running between the police administration and the principal for three days, but no one listened."
The case continues to develop as authorities work to uncover the complete sequence of events and ensure accountability for all responsible parties.
