Nagpur: Rahul Tiwari, 17, a Standard XII student of commerce stream, collapsed in the classroom after being slapped for hurling pen by a classmate on Thursday at GS College of Commerce and Economics at Giripeth. He was declared brought dead at Dande hospital. Police are yet to register an offence. He was the only son of his parents.
In December last year, a first year student had suffered a mysterious fall from the second floor of the same college and is bedridden now. Till date, the reason behind the mishap is yet to come to fore. The victim had refrained from revealing anything about the incident even to his family, it is learnt.
Even Thursday’s episode was kept under wraps until Friday when it got exposed with some socio-political outfits and friends of Rahul creating ruckus at the college. They gheraoed principal NY Khandait alleging various questionable measures taken by the college administration including informing parents late and not bringing to fore the fight among student in an effort to shield the alleged culprit.
The activists, family members and friends of Rahul had earlier brought his body straight to Sitabuldi police station from mortuary of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) after post-mortem. The crowd, with the body in ambulance, later decided to head towards college along with cops from Sitabuldi police station for staging a protest.
Rahul’s younger sister Nishita too had taken admission in the college a day before the incident. She was not present on the day Rahul died as she had an examination elsewhere. Rahul’s father Radharaman works with a publication group while mother Poornima is housewife.
As the activists cornered Khandait alleging an attempt to hush up the matter, Rahul’s classmates began speaking about fight that they had witnessed and heard through sources leading to the death. The police are contemplating action of ulawful assembly against them.
There is also allegation by protesters of delay in informing Sitabuldi police for reasons best known to college management. It is learnt Ambazari police were informed by Dande hospital where Rahul was taken. Ambazari police, instead of informing neighbouring police station which is normal practice, registered a case of accidental death and informed Sitabuldi counterparts after five-and-half hours of the incident.
Though GS college management and police downplayed the event, a section of students emboldened by the protests led by Vickey Pandey and others, began speaking about how Rahul was thrashed before he collapsed. Khandait was rescued by senior cops from the mob fury and brought to Sitabuldi police station.
It is learnt Rahul had collapsed at 3.45 pm on Thursday after the first lecture had ended. Principal Khandait had told TOI Rahul suffered from epileptic fits and had a history of the ailment since three-and-half years of age. “The alleged incident took place in the short time when one teacher left the class and next one was about to enter. There could not be any fight in that short period of time,” he said. Khandait is learnt to have formed a four-member committee to probe the matter.
Police, following the version collected from students, said Rahul had hurled a pen towards a fellow classmate who threw it back at him in rage. Rahul was miffed on being hit by the pen. He went and slapped the classmate. The classmate too retaliated by slapping him back on the face following which Rahul collapsed.
The students and teachers then rushed Rahul to sports room where they made an attempt to revive him. He was later rushed to Dande Hospital. Dr Pinak Dande, who had checked Rahul, said he was already dead when brought to hospital. “Rahul’s mother had said about his epileptic history but there was no complaint in the last three years,” he said.
Rahul’s uncle Pramod Tiwari said his nephew was not suffering from any disease or ailment. “He was obedient and disciplined. Rahul had no addiction and would not stay out of house for long,” he said. Sources from GMCH and police said the preliminary forensic reports suggest there was no external or internal injury on body nor any damage to any vital parts. The histo-pathological reports may reveal malfunctioning of any organ, said a source. The viscera and blood would be sent for chemical analysis.
Senior PI Hemant Kharabe of Sitabuldi police station said a case of accidental death has been registered. “We are awaiting detailed post-mortem report,” he said.
