Noida Hostel Tragedy: Two Wardens Arrested After BTech Student's Suicide

In a tragic incident that has shocked the educational community of Greater Noida, two hostel wardens were arrested on Monday on charges of abetment to suicide. This development comes just days after a second-year BTech student died after jumping from the balcony of his private hostel in Knowledge Park 3.

The Fatal Incident and Immediate Aftermath

The victim, identified as Udit Soni, a 20-year-old BTech student originally from Jhansi, died on Saturday after jumping from the fourth floor of his hostel building. According to police officials, the incident followed a series of events that began on Friday evening when Soni was reprimanded by both hostel management and his father for consuming alcohol.

The arrested individuals include Satyanarayan Pandey (54) from Jharkhand's Garhwa district and Dharam Singh Sikarwar (47) from Madhya Pradesh's Morena district. Both currently reside in Knowledge Park 3 and have been charged under sections 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt and section 108 for abetment of suicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Sequence of Events Leading to Tragedy

Based on police investigations and student accounts, the sequence of events unfolded as follows:

On Friday evening, Udit Soni returned to the hostel around 9 PM with two friends after consuming alcohol
The hostel management confronted the three students for violating rules regarding alcohol consumption
Despite the students agreeing to pay a fine for the violation, the situation escalated dramatically
According to multiple student witnesses, hostel staff assaulted Udit in front of other residents
The management allegedly recorded a video of the incident and sent it to Udit's father, Vijay

Harshit, a BBA student and friend of Udit who lived in the same hostel, provided detailed testimony about what transpired. "We accepted the fine and Udit paid Rs 10,000," he stated. "But after the payment, hostel staff assaulted Udit in front of a large crowd. They hit him with pipes and other objects."

Family Involvement and Final Moments

The situation took a devastating turn when Udit's father received the video and subsequently scolded his son over the phone. Vijay warned Udit that he would be called back home if such complaints occurred again. This conversation, combined with the physical assault and public humiliation, reportedly pushed the young student into deep depression.

Harshit recalled Udit saying, "Even my father has never hit me," as he went upstairs after the incident. According to friends, Udit appeared visibly depressed and emotionally shattered. He later told friends he was going to the balcony to wish a friend on his birthday, which turned out to be his final moments before the tragic jump.

Police Response and Investigation

The police have registered a case based on the complaint filed by Udit's father, Vijay Soni. The complaint specifically mentions abetment to suicide charges against the hostel warden and staff members. Additionally, a separate case has been filed regarding vehicle damage and unrest at the hostel following the incident.

Senior police officers visited the campus to defuse tensions and held discussions with students. Police personnel had to be deployed to control the situation after the incident sparked anger among students, leading to some incidents of violence and vehicle damage at the hostel premises.

Broader Implications and Ongoing Probe

This tragic incident has raised serious questions about hostel management practices and student welfare in private accommodations around educational institutions. The police investigation is currently examining multiple aspects of the case, including:

The exact nature of the assault allegations
The circumstances surrounding the video recording and its sharing
Previous complaints against the hostel management
The psychological state of the victim leading up to the incident

Harshit claimed this was the first time hostel staff had assaulted a student in such a manner, highlighting what appears to be an escalation in disciplinary measures. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the complete sequence of events that led to this preventable tragedy.

The Greater Noida police have assured thorough investigation into all allegations while emphasizing the need for proper grievance redressal mechanisms in student hostels. The case has drawn attention to the psychological pressures faced by students living away from home and the responsibility of hostel authorities in maintaining both discipline and student welfare.