Dalit Ayurveda student from Delhi dies in crash, ‘ragging, murder’ FIR against 6, college mgmt

Meerut: A first-year Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) student from Delhi died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle near his college in Saharanpur late on Sunday, prompting his family and fellow students to allege that he was ragged and murdered and the crash was staged to appear accidental.Based on a complaint by Gautam's father, police registered an FIR against six students — Mohit, Harsh, Harshit, Asif, Shivam and Monu Pandit — and the college management on Monday under BNS sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 61 (criminal conspiracy). Provisions of the SC/ST Act have not been invoked in the case.Biharigarh SHO Akshay Sharma said the "The FIR includes allegations of ongoing ragging and mental harassment. We are verifying these claims through witness statements, CCTV footage and forensic evidence". SP (rural) Sagar Jain said, "Initial evidence points to a road accident. However, all allegations are being investigated. The role of college staff and students will be examined. CCTV footage is being reviewed to trace the vehicle involved."Vishal Gautam, 25, a Dalit and a resident of Budh Vihar Phase 1 in Delhi and enrolled at Guru Dronacharya Ayurvedic Institute just last month, was living in a hostel on campus. Police said Gautam and a fellow student were riding a motorcycle on Sunday evening when a speeding vehicle hit them near Khushalipur village, about 500 metres from the institute. Gautam died on the spot after sustaining head injuries. His companion was injured and hospitalised. The college did not respond to requests for comment.Soon after the incident, students and college staff informed police, and Gautam's family arrived at the scene. They were joined by Bhim Army members, who staged a protest outside the campus. The protest intensified as family members accused the college of ignoring repeated complaints of ragging and claimed that the death was the result of a planned assault.Gautam's father, Pate Bahadur, said the institute administration went incommunicado after the incident. "He was being harassed and ragged by seniors since his admission. He filed multiple complaints, but no action was taken. After his death, the staff disappeared and stopped responding," he said. Bahadur further alleged that the accused students took Gautam out on a motorcycle forcibly, tampered with his phone, and murdered him. "They staged the scene as an accident," he said