Samajwadi Party student leader’s arrest sparks violence, arson on BHU campus  

Ashutosh Singh, head of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha’s BHU unit, was held on a non-bailable warrant issued in connection with three criminal cases.

lucknow Updated: Dec 20, 2017 19:44 IST
The Banaras Hindu University last witnessed violence on September 23, after police allegedly cane-charged a group of students who were protesting against the sexual harassment of a fellow-student.
The Banaras Hindu University last witnessed violence on September 23, after police allegedly cane-charged a group of students who were protesting against the sexual harassment of a fellow-student.(PTI File)

Supporters of a Samajwadi Party student leader went on the rampage after police arrested him at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Wednesday.

Ashutosh Singh, head of the Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha’s BHU unit, was held on a non-bailable warrant issued in connection with three criminal cases. Soon afterwards, his supporters vandalised a State Bank of India ATM, damaged over 40 vehicles and set a Delhi Public School (DPS) bus afire. While there were no students present in the bus at the time, the driver and helper managed to flee from the scene.

The rioters also kept two of the university gates, including the main entrance, closed for about an hour.

Police said Singh was booked in three cases of extortion under Section 395 (dacoity) of the Indian Penal Code. “A group of BHU students, all supporters of Ashutosh Singh, later set a DPS bus on fire and damaged several vehicles belonging to attendants at the Sir Sundar Lal Hospital. The situation is now under control,” said Bhelupur circle officer AP Singh.

BHU chief proctor Royana Singh inspected the scene of the violence. “The students responsible for the violence will be identified, and strict action will be taken against them. The university administration will not tolerate such activities,” she said.

The BHU last witnessed violence on September 23, after police allegedly cane-charged a group of students – mostly girls – who were protesting against the sexual harassment of a fellow student.