Local court in Dharamsala sentenced seven-year rigorous imprisonment to four youth accused of stabbing to death a student of Captain Vikram Batra Government College, Palampur.
Additional and Sessions Judge Rajiv Bhardwaj convicted Vikas Chauhan, Sachin Pal, Saurav Sood and his brother Gaurav Sood. However fifth accused Sanjeev Sharma alias Sunny who was minor at time of incident related to ragging of junior students seven years ago case had been transferred to juvenile court. All the four convicted by the court were currently on bail, were taken into custody after the Judge pronounced the sentenced them to jail. "The court awarded seven years imprisonment to the four accused of assailing decsaed student Amit Thakur" said Additional District Attorney, Kuldeep Sain.
Besides, seven years imprisonment, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 25000 each on the four youth.
Police had registered a case against five adolescents of whom two Gaurav Sood and Suarav Sood were students of Vikram Batra College. Ajay Dohru friend of the deceased Amit Thakur had alleged that the five youth had attacked them with sharp edged weapon when they tried to prevent them from ragging the new comers in the college on August 20, 2003.
Dohru stated in compliant that while he and his other friend Manisha Walia sustained cuts on the body, the group of the five boys stabbed Amit Thakur in abdomen. The Police had then registered a case of attempt to murder under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. Later on November 11 after Amit died Christian Medical College Ludhiana police booked the five accused for murder under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. Amits Thakur's autopsy reports confirmed his death due to deep wound caused by stabbing in abdomen. Stabbing had damaged the pancreas of the decsaed.
Meanwhile decsaed father Ravinder Thakur was also present in the court. "It is only the partial justice. I have received" said Ravinder while he added that he would continue his legal battle. "I have full faith in judiciary and I also had high hopes" Thakur told Hindustan Times " I had dreamt to send my son abroad for further studies" said Ravinder a retired soldier from Indo Tibetan Border Police
Meanwhile decsaed father Ravinder Thakur was also present in the court. "It is only the partial justice. I have received" said Ravinder while he added that he would continue his legal battle. "I have full faith in judiciary and I also had high hopes" Thakur told Hindustan Times " I had dreamt to send my son abroad for further studies" said Ravinder a retired soldier from Indo Tibetan Border Police
It is pertinent to mention that in 2009 first year medical Student had died at Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College at Tanda within few hours after allegedly being ragged by four senior students. Aman Kachru's death had led to national uproar. The state government brought legislation in the assembly to declare ragging as an offence. The trial of the case is being held at the fast track court in Dharamsala.