Foreign student ‘hangs self’ in Kharar lockup

A 24-year-old Zambian national, a student of Chandigarh University in Gharuan, reportedly died by suicide in the lock-up of the Kharar police post at Sunny Enclave, after being arrested for the alleged murder of his classmate, who was also from the same country.

The accused, Saviour Chikopela, a student of Bachelor of Optometry (first year), was accused of killing his female friend in a flat at a housing society in Kharar on November 14. Sources said the he was allegedly upset with the girl for socialising with other male friends.

The sources said when the police got to know about the girl’s murder, they found the LPG supply knob in the flat was open. However, no fire had occurred.

Initially, it was suspected that the victim had died of asphyxiation due to the gas leak but the autopsy report said she was murdered. During the investigation, a suspect was identified with the help of CCTV footage of the neighbourhood, and he was arrested around 11:30 pm on Wednesday. Just 35 minutes after being taken into custody, he reportedly hanged himself with a nylon rope tied to a lockup bar. The police rushed him to the Kharar Civil Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The victim’s autopsy was conducted by a board of doctors in the presence of a Magistrate and a representative from the Zambian government. Mohali SSP Deepak Pareek said, “A magisterial inquiry is underway, and all due procedures are being followed.”

Unanswered questions

What was the exact reason

for the girl’s murder?

Why was the nylon rope left in the lock-up?

Why was the suspect left unattended at the police post?