Family Finds Hope as Calcutta HC Orders Murder Charges to be Added in IIT-Kharagpur Student’s CaseFollowing the Calcutta High Court’s directive to include murder charges in the First Information Report (FIR) connected to the death of a 23-year-old student from IIT-Kharagpur, the family of the deceased expressed their optimism on Wednesday, stating that they now see a ray of hope for justice to be served. The mother of the student affirmed, “Authorities at IIT-Kharagpur tried to make up a story that my son committed suicide even as we insisted that he was murdered. We now see a ray of hope. Justice will be served.” As of now, there has been no immediate response from IIT-Kharagpur regarding the court’s decision.
The mother of the student also accused the local police of conducting an inadequate investigation and refusing to file a murder case despite the family’s complaint. She stated, “The police refused to lodge an FIR on the basis of our complaint. It is now clear that they did not investigate the matter properly.” Expressing her anguish, she added, “Only a mother knows the pain of losing her son this way. I don’t want any mother to go through this phase. No son deserves to be killed like this.”
The deceased student, hailing from Tinsukia in Assam, was a third-year mechanical engineering student at IIT-Kharagpur. His body was discovered in a partially decomposed state inside his hostel room at Lala Lajpat Rai Hall of Residence on October 14 of the previous year.
The institute claimed that the student had died by suicide, leading to the registration of an unnatural death case at Kharagpur town police station.
However, the student’s father rejected the institute’s explanation and approached the high court last year, seeking a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). On April 25, Justice Rajesekhar Mantha, a single bench of the high court, ordered the exhumation of the student’s body and a subsequent post-mortem examination. This decision was made following the revelation that a chemical called Emplura (sodium nitrate), commonly used for meat preservation, was seized from the crime scene. Additionally, injuries, likely inflicted prior to the student’s death, were found on his arms.
“The exercise (exhumation and second post-mortem) is vital and necessary for arriving at the truth behind the death of the student,” stated the court order.
The West Bengal government contested this order, but a division bench upheld it on May 19. The second post-mortem examination took place on May 27. On Tuesday, Justice Mantha emphasized the need for the police and the investigating officer to address serious concerns and directed them to add the murder charge.
“We have not received the court order yet. We will take action according to legal provisions once we get it,” commented West Midnapore SP Dhritiman Sarkar. The decision by the Calcutta High Court to include murder charges in the case of the IIT-Kharagpur student’s death has brought a glimmer of hope to the grieving family. The court’s ruling has raised questions about the initial investigation conducted by IIT-Kharagpur authorities and the local police, who had dismissed the incident as a suicide despite the family’s persistent claims of foul play. Now, with the murder charges set to be added to the FIR, the family believes that justice will finally be served.
The deceased student’s mother expressed her frustration with the authorities at IIT-Kharagpur, accusing them of fabricating a suicide narrative to cover up the truth. She firmly believes that her son was the victim of a heinous crime and sees the court’s decision as a turning point in their quest for justice. The family’s unwavering determination has been met with a renewed sense of optimism as they await further progress in the case.
The IIT-Kharagpur administration has yet to respond to the developments in the case. Their silence leaves many questions unanswered, as the institution’s role in the investigation and the subsequent handling of the incident come under scrutiny. The family’s allegations of a botched investigation by the local police further highlight the need for a thorough and impartial inquiry.
The deceased student, a promising young talent from Tinsukia, Assam, was pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at IIT-Kharagpur. His untimely demise shocked the campus community and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students within the institution. The initial claim of suicide, which led to the registration of an unnatural death case, left many unanswered questions and deepened the family’s conviction that their son had met with foul play.
In their pursuit of justice, the student’s father took the matter to the Calcutta High Court, seeking the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances surrounding his son’s death. The court, recognizing the gravity of the situation, ordered the exhumation of the student’s body and a subsequent post-mortem examination. The presence of a chemical used for meat preservation at the crime scene and the discovery of injuries on the student’s arms that indicated potential foul play prompted the court to take decisive action.
Landmark High Court Order Brings Hope for Justice: Murder Charge Finally Added in IIT-Kharagpur Student’s Case
The West Bengal government challenged the court’s order, but their appeal was dismissed by a division bench, affirming the need for a comprehensive investigation. The subsequent second post-mortem examination aimed to unravel the truth behind the student’s death, providing hope for a breakthrough in the case.
Justice Rajesekhar Mantha, presiding over the case, expressed serious concerns about the police’s handling of the investigation and directed them to include murder charges in the FIR. This significant development signifies a shift in the trajectory of the case and marks a crucial step toward justice for the grieving family.
The impact of the Calcutta High Court’s ruling extends beyond this specific case. It raises broader questions about the handling of student welfare and safety in educational institutions across the country. The tragic loss of a young life demands a comprehensive review of the measures in place to ensure the well-being of students, with a focus on transparent investigations and accountability.
As the legal proceedings continue, the family remains resolute in their pursuit of truth and justice. They hope that the inclusion of murder charges will bring about a thorough and unbiased investigation, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding their son’s death. Their struggle serves as a reminder that every life lost under mysterious circumstances deserves a fair and impartial inquiry.
