BHU ex-student shot on campus

Shahira Naim

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Tribune News Service

Lucknow, April 3

Tension gripped Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus after three bike-borne assailants shot a 23-year-old expelled student outside Birla Hostel late on Tuesday night. He later succumbed to his injuries at the BHU’s Institute of Medical Sciences.

According to police sources, BHU chief proctor Royana Singh and three others, who were later detained for questioning, have been booked for conspiring to murder the student.

The victim, Gaurav Singh, was expelled last year while he was pursuing MCA for his alleged role in violence on the campus in 2017 over “harassment” of some students. Son of a BHU employee, he had been jailed in 2018 and remained expelled since then.

According to eye witnesses, three persons on a motorcycle opened fire at Gaurav, injuring him in the stomach and chest. He was rushed to the trauma centre of the BHU hospital where he later died.

Preliminary inquiries by the police indicate that the killing was the fallout of an enmity between two groups on the campus over students’ politics.

Varanasi DM Surendra Singh and SSP Sureshrao A Kulkarni visited the campus and summoned police force from 16 neighbouring police stations as the agitated students went on a rampage. In view of the palpable tension on the campus, the police quietly got Gaurav’s post-mortem conducted and sent the body to his native village in Rohania, Varanasi, for last rites. The university remained closed on Wednesday.

Campus politics

• Preliminary inquiries indicate that Gaurav Singh, 23, was killed due to enmity between two groups over student politics
• He was expelled last year for his alleged role in violence on the campus in 2017 over 'harassment' of some students
• Son of a BHU employee, he had been jailed in 2018 and remained expelled since then