Victim's family anxious while accused's shocked

The families of both Nikhil Bankar, the accused who killed himself, and the victim, his classmate who is in critical condition after he stabbed her eight times, are too overwhelmed and upset to be able to record their police statements.

The families of both Nikhil Bankar, the accused who killed himself, and the victim, his classmate who is in critical condition after he stabbed her eight times, are too overwhelmed and upset to be able to record their police statements.

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As the third-year BMS student struggles to survive in the ICU at Guru Nanak hospital in Kalanagar, her family members stayed by her side and a stream of relatives and friends came to check on her health. The staff at the hospital had been instructed that the family did not want to interact with the media.

A police officer who spoke with the victim's parents said: "The family is very anxious as she is still not out of danger. Her health is the only thing on their minds, understandably so."

A friend of the victim, who did not wish to be identified, said: "I hope she does not suffer from any permanent damage and recuperates completely. She has a lot of plans for her future and wants to go abroad for studies after doing a post-graduation course from here."

Prakash Salvi, a relative of Bankar, said Bankar's parents are too shocked to react and even talk to their relatives. "The parents are not talking much to anyone," he said. Another relative, requesting anonymity, said: "We are in a state of shock. We knew Nikhil and did not expect something like this."

The police are planning to talk to common friends of the duo to find out more about the incident.