A 23-year-old student was shot dead inside a college campus in Varanasi on Friday, triggering widespread protests and raising concerns over campus security.
The victim, identified as Surya Pratap Singh, was a fourth-semester BA student at Uday Pratap College. According to police, the incident occurred around 11 am inside a corridor of the social sciences faculty building.
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Eyewitnesses said the accused, a fellow student, fired multiple shots at close range before fleeing the scene.
Accused Fires Multiple Rounds, Escapes Campus
Police have identified the main accused as Manjeet Chauhan.
According to initial reports, the attacker fired four rounds, targeting the victim’s head and chest. He then fled towards the upper floor, jumped a boundary wall, and escaped.
The weapon used in the crime was later recovered from a nearby garbage dump.
Authorities have launched a manhunt to trace Chauhan, who remains absconding.
Victim Dies During Treatment
Following the shooting, Singh was rushed to a private hospital and later referred to the trauma centre at Banaras Hindu University.
However, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Family members described him as a bright and well-liked student. He was the only son of his parents and is survived by two sisters.
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The incident took an emotional turn when the victim’s father refused to perform the last rites, demanding strict action against the accused.
The situation led to a tense standoff at the postmortem facility before the body was eventually taken home.
Campus Violence Erupts After Shooting
Soon after the incident, the college campus witnessed unrest.
Angry students locked the main gate, damaged property, and reportedly assaulted several faculty members. At least one teacher sustained head injuries and required medical attention.
Heavy police deployment was required to control the situation and safely evacuate staff from the campus.
Police Cite Personal Dispute as Motive
Mohit Agarwal said preliminary investigations suggest the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute between the two students.
“Preliminary enquiry indicates mutual enmity between the individuals involved,” he said.
Police have registered a case against Chauhan and another individual, Anuj Thakur, who was allegedly present during the incident.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage and conducting raids to locate the accused.
Officials believe the incident may be linked to an ongoing rivalry or dispute between the individuals.
At the same time, the case has raised serious concerns about campus safety, particularly how a firearm was brought inside an educational institution.
Rising Concerns Over Campus Safety
The incident has once again highlighted the issue of security in educational institutions across India.
Students and parents are questioning existing safety measures, while authorities are under pressure to ensure stricter checks to prevent such incidents in the future.
