In a significant update, the Dehradun Police have stated that the fatal assault on Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA student from Tripura, was a 'heat-of-the-moment' incident and not motivated by racial prejudice. This conclusion follows the interrogation of apprehended suspects. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now been constituted to delve deeper into the case.
Police Cite Preliminary Findings, Dispute Racial Angle
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajai Singh presented findings from the initial probe. He revealed that statements from the accused and collected evidence pointed towards a sudden physical altercation that escalated violently. "It was due to the heat of the moment. We interrogated the accused... and they said it was an act committed on an impulse without a motive to kill," SSP Singh stated.
The tragic incident occurred on December 9 in Dehradun's Selaqui area. Anjel, the son of a BSF head constable and a successfully placed final-year MBA student, was assaulted by a group of six individuals. During the fight, one of the assailants allegedly grabbed a knife from a nearby pushcart and stabbed him. The young student succumbed to his injuries during treatment on December 26.
While the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the victim's brother, Michael Chakma, alleged that racial slurs were hurled, the police have maintained their stance against a racial violence angle. "We will check why they stabbed him with a knife, because these incidents where unknown people attack without motive occur very rarely," the SSP added, emphasizing the SIT's mandate for a thorough investigation.
Investigation Progress and Bounty Increased
The police have made substantial progress in the case. Out of the six accused, five have been taken into custody. The three adults are in judicial custody, while the two juveniles have been sent to correctional homes. However, the alleged main perpetrator, Yagya Awasthi, remains at large.
In a move to expedite his capture, the reward for information leading to Awasthi's arrest has been significantly increased. The bounty has been raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Police officials indicated that he is suspected to be near the India-Nepal border in Uttarakhand and expressed confidence in his imminent arrest.
SSP Singh also addressed the delay in filing the FIR, which was registered on December 14. He clarified that the police were informed only when the complainant visited the station. The subsequent period was used to gather witness statements, shopkeeper accounts, and CCTV footage, and to consult doctors for a medical summary before formally lodging the case.
Broader Context and Official Scrutiny
Highlighting Dehradun's status as an educational hub, SSP Singh noted that over 70,000 students study in the state capital, including more than 2,000 from Northeastern states and 250 specifically from Tripura. He asserted that, to his knowledge, there has never been a previous episode of racial violence in the region, drawing parallels between Uttarakhand and the Northeast in terms of topography and sentiment.
The case has attracted attention at the national level. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Dehradun SSP and the District Magistrate, seeking a detailed factual report on the incident within seven days. This step underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the investigation into the young student's untimely death.
