Dalit student’s tormentors had other victims too

Ahmedabad: Gopal Mahida was discharged from VS Hospital on Sunday The students accused of ragging and torturing a first year Dalit student of a college used to harass other students as well, it has emerged. Police arrested two more persons, including aminor, in the case.

Meanwhile on Sunday morning, the victim, Gopal Mahida, received a call from an unknown number when he was still admitted at VS Hospital. The caller identified himself as Naran Bharwad and threatened him with dire consequences for lodging a police complaint. Mahida lodged a fresh complaint with Ellisbridge police in the matter.

Mahida, a student of HL College of Commerce, had attempted suicide by consuming a bathroom cleaner on Friday evening due to harassment and humiliation. Of the four accused, two had already been arrested by Saturday evening while the remaining two were arrested the same night. While three of the accused have been sent to judicial custody, the minor has been sent to a juvenile home. As per case details, the victim, Mahida stays at the college hostel.

Navrangpura police registered a case against four accused—Kshitij Rabari, Jay Bharwad and Jayesh Rabari and a minor. Ashutosh Parmar, investigation officer and ACP of B-Division, said “We arrested Kshitij, Jay, Jayesh and another minor accused on Saturday and sent them to judicial custody.

We have recorded their statements too. The complainant has made serious allegation of ragging and torture. So we will record statements of other persons too, including the victim’s college friends. We have assured him that we will provide him security if needed.”

Sources in the police said that the three adult accused used to harass other students as well as youths outside the college. “We are questioning others as well. The accused used to spend their time outside the college campus. They even threatened food stall owners and did not pay for the food they ate there.”

Mahida was discharged from the hospital on Sunday. He will be sent for counselling for depression.

Source : Ahmadabad Mirror