NUJS student falls to death, parents allege foul play

A first-year student of National University of Juridical Science (NUJS), who fell from the third floor balcony of the hostel on March 6, succumbed to his injuries in a private hospital the following day. While eyewitnesses claimed Vikash Choudhary, 19, fell while playing Holi, the victim’s parents alleged he was “killed” by his seniors and lodged a complaint against the university authorities. The victim is a resident of Delhi.

Ruchira Goswami, a senior professor and NUJS spokesperson, said, “Students were playing Holi inside campus. In the evening, we were informed that Vikash fell from the third floor balcony. He was lying unconscious on the playground. Students rushed downstairs and he was taken to the nearest hospital. The doctors said he was brought in a very critical condition. He suffered multiple fractures and was put on life support. He succumbed to his injuries on Saturday evening.”

The university has started an inquiry into the death, though it does not suspect any “foul play”. “We have already started speaking to students and witnesses. We do not have any reason to believe there was any foul play. But according to the rules, an inquiry committee has been constituted,” Goswami said.

The parents of the victim claimed Vikash had complained he was being ragged by his seniors. “He used to say he was being harassed and tortured. We suspect he was killed,” Joginder Choudhary, the victim’s father, said. However, Goswami said the university had not received any ragging complaint.

A complaint has been lodged at the south Bidhannagar police station by the victim’s parents.

A senior police official said, “The parents have written in the complaint that somebody was responsible for the death and it was not an accident. We are waiting for the autopsy report. Our investigation is on.” In a press statement, the university said, “An extremely unfortunate incident happened in the afternoon of March 6… where a first year LLB student Vikash Chaudhary met with an accident during Holi. Students immediately admitted Vikash to AMRI Hospital, Salt Lake, where his condition was declared to be critical. Unfortunately, Vikash succumbed to his injuries.”

It added, “After gathering information from students, the university has at this moment no reason to suspect any foul play. The university has initiated steps to institute an inquiry to investigate the exact circumstances of the accident. The university is extending necessary cooperation to the concerned authorities.”

Source:: Indian Express