Harsh Kumar : “Patna University Student Murdered by Masked Assailants”

According to Harsh’s family, he was politically active and wanted to contest the students’ union elections. (Photo: X/@Satyamvatsin)

Patna: A 22-year-old student leader was brutally attacked and killed by a group of masked assailants in the parking lot of Patna Law College. The tragic incident occurred on Monday while the student, Harsh Kumar, was on his way to appear for an exam.

The victim, a final-year student at Patna’s BN College, had recently been actively involved in the election campaign of Shambhavi Choudhary, the LJP (RV) nominee from the Samastipur LS constituency and daughter of Ashok Choudhary, a minister in the Nitish Kumar cabinet. Harsh was known to be a promising student leader with aspirations to contest the upcoming students’ union elections.

The victim, son of Vaishali-based journalist Ajit Kumar, was pursuing a BA in English (Hons).

Harsh was immediately rushed to Patna MCH, where medical professionals pronounced him dead. City SP (east) Bharat Soni stated that the police were still investigating the motive behind the murder and the identities of the attackers.

‘7-8 Men Brutally Assaulted Him’: Police

Following the incident, a police team led by additional superintendent of police (ASP) of Patna City, Dasrath RS, visited the crime scene. Authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage to aid in the investigation. According to the police, the victim had previously been involved in a confrontation with some Patna University students over the organization of a ‘dandiya night’ event during Dussehra last year.

City SP (east) Bharat Soni mentioned, “Initial investigations suggest that Harsh had a dispute with certain students during Dussehra regarding the planning of a ‘dandiya night’ function. He was pursuing a BA in English (Hons) course.” He added that the assailants remained unidentified as they had concealed their faces with masks.

“We have initiated an inquiry into the matter,” Soni asserted, highlighting that efforts were underway to identify and apprehend the attackers through the examination of CCTV footage and other evidence.

(ASP) of Patna City, Dasrath RS, remarked, “Harsh Raj was fatally assaulted by 7-8 criminals who brutally attacked him. Despite being promptly taken to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. We are currently scrutinizing the CCTV footage of the crime scene and collecting additional evidence. Measures are being taken to locate the assailants.”

According to Harsh’s family, the victim was actively involved in political activities and had aspirations to contest the students’ union elections.

All examinations scheduled at Patna University for May 28 have been cancelled, and all colleges will remain closed on Tuesday, as per a university notification issued in the evening.

Videos Surface

Videos captured the assailants, with their faces obscured, assaulting the student with sticks and bricks. The footage depicted the attackers brazenly brandishing weapons in broad daylight, while bystanders filmed the incident from a distance.

The videos underscore the concerning law and order situation in the city, where a student fell victim to a fatal attack on a college campus in the presence of other students. The visuals reveal that while many individuals recorded the incident on their mobile devices, no one dared to intervene or promptly alert the authorities to come to the victim’s aid.

Calls For Justice

Following the tragic news, social media users rallied for justice, with some sharing poignant images of the victim’s grieving mother beside his lifeless body. Students, leaders, and other individuals took to X to shine a spotlight on the deteriorating law and order conditions and demand justice for the young student who harbored ambitions of making a mark in politics.

Rajasthan University Student Union President Nirmal Choudhary posted a video of the incident and raised questions about the BJP government’s accountability.

He expressed, “Student leader Harshraj was brutally attacked and killed by thugs in broad daylight at Patna University. If such incidents are unfolding in the educational sanctuaries, what prospects lie ahead for the nation’s daughters, sons, and siblings in such an environment? What educational assurances can the students of the country anticipate from the BJP government?”

One user penned, “The events at Patna University today were nothing short of a nightmare. What transpired was unfathomable. Harshraj deserves justice, and it is imperative that the government intervenes.”

Another message read, “Today, a student leader, Harsh Raj, met a tragic end at Patna Law College. I urge the current NDA government to take stern action against this crime.”

A comment stated, “Harsh Raj, a 22-year-old student leader from Patna University, was ruthlessly attacked by 7-8 assailants armed with hockey sticks and other weapons at Patna Law College. The incident occurred as Harsh Raj exited the examination hall. He had intentions of contesting the upcoming students’ union elections.”

“Harsh Raj, a 22-year-old student, was assaulted and killed by seven masked assailants inside the Patna University campus during broad daylight. His father had revealed his aspirations to contest university elections. This incident transpired in what was supposed to be the capital’s most secure space. Isn’t this jungle raj?” questioned a concerned social media user.

Another individual shared, “Harsh Raj, an active leader in campus politics and a law student, aged 22, was brutally murdered in broad daylight by masked troublemakers at Patna University as he exited the examination hall.”