Andhra Pradesh: Four engineering students beat up collegemate over love affair

RAJAHMUNDRY: Bhimavaram police on Saturday arrested four engineering students who beat a fellow student brutally in a private hostel room, in Bhimavaram town of West Godavari district. A video of the student being hit mercilessly went viral on social media on Friday, prompting the college management to suspend the accused students. The victim was also allegedly branded with a hot iron box.
The four students, who have been booked under sections 384, 324, 342, 506 read with 34 IPC, told the police they thrashed the youth, identified as Boyina Ankit of Narasannapeta in Srikakulam, in connection with a love affair.One of the accused, Praveen, was reportedly close to a girl. The victim was also in contact with the girl. Irked by this, the accused with his three friends thrashed Ankit in the hostel room. Another student made a video of the episode.
According to Bhimavaram Two Town police inspector B Krishna Kumar, the five students - all studying B. Tech second year in SRKR engineering college in Bhimavaram - stay in a private hostel in the town.
The dispute surfaced among them due to the affair. The four accused — Praveen, Prem Kumar, Swaroop and Neeraj — had an argument with Ankit over the girl following which they attacked him with sticks. Ankit, who sus- tained injuries all over his body, lodged a complaint at Bhimava- ram Two Town police station. He has been admitted in Bhima- varam government hospital.
SRKR college principal Manthena Jagapathi Raju told STOI that all students were good friends and staying in a private hostel in the town outside the college campus. The dispute reportedly star- ted when the victim and one of the accused fell in love with the same girl. After being attacked, Ankit did not inform either the college authorities or his pa- rents.
“Initially, all students were suspended but now the suspension of Ankit has been revoked. After conducting a meeting with the anti-ragging cell of the college, transfer certificates may be issued to all the accused,” Raju said.