JU Student Death Should Be Probed Under POCSO, Suggests Child Rights Commission

West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) on Monday prima facie it is of the view that the death of the first-year student in Kolkata's Jadavpur University be dealt with under POCSO (Protection of Children against Sexual Offence) as the deceased at the time of the incident was under 18 years of age. However, to make an official suggestion of the same, the panel must first get a copy of the FIR.

WBCPCR chairperson Sudeshna Roy said that the commission has spoken to the family of the victim to assess what happened on August 9, when the boy fell from the second floor of the campus hostel, and perused other documents concerning the age of the boy. "We have asked for an FIR copy filed after his fall from the balcony and his death from the police. We have also perused his other documents including age-related ones. And going by the chain of events, as narrated, leading to the death of the minor, prima facie we have reason to suggest that it be dealt with under POCSO," she said to PTI. 

The first-year student of Bengali honours fell from the second-floor balcony of the main hostel building around 11.45 pm on August 9 and died while undergoing treatment at a hospital the next day.

The Commission further alleged that there was "dubious behaviour and actions of people who were staying in the hostel" and "illegal residents" have been allegedly occupying hostels. 

Led by WBCPCR advisor, Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborty, the panel visited the house of the minor boy in Nadia district, where they first spoke to the family members and then visited the JU main hostel campus in Kolkata where the student died.  "The deceased student of Jadavpur University is a minor and a "POCSO" victim.. Kindly do not use his NAME," she posted on social media.

Chatterjee claimed that the teen’s death was a clear case of physical assault for which "we will recommend stringent punishment against those involved in the ‘unpardonable’ crime'. "We spoke to the family members of the student. We were told that he was severely assaulted and cigarette burn marks were found all over his body," Chatterjee told reporters.

Meanwhile, a security guard at the hostel alleged that several 'illegal' residents or ex-students continue to stay in the hostel and he might be at risk if he charges them. 

Earlier, the police alleged that the student was subjected to extensive ragging lasting almost two hours before he fell from the corridor. A police team, comprising officers from the DD Homicide Section and Jadavpur Division, extensively interviewed hostel inmates throughout Friday and into Saturday morning. 

According to the investigation, the minor was confined in a room with several others including former mathematic honours student Sourav Chowdhury. While investigating, the team alleged Sourav and some others present that night reportedly displayed uncooperative behaviour and attempted to mislead the investigators, as per a report by Economic Times. 

 So far, two students and an ex-student have been arrested in the case, a senior police officer said.

Another report by India Today stated that a letter was allegedly written by the student, to the hostel dean, accusing seniors and the college of raging culture.