Jadavpur University student falls from hostel to death, ragging alleged

Friends of Swapnodeep Kundu have demanded a thorough probe to determine the cause

NEW DELHI | Updated: 11 August, 2023 11:31 am IST

WB Governor CV Ananda Bose meeting Jadavpur University students after Swapnodeep's death.

NEW DELHI: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose hastened to Jadavpur University upon learning of the tragic demise of an 18-year-old student, merely two days into the academic session.

First-year Bengali Honors student Swapnodeep Kundu fell from a second-floor balcony at the boys’ hostel, igniting allegations of ragging. The university has initiated a probe which has to be completed within two weeks.

Kundu, who had recently moved from Hanskhali, Nadia to study, was found dead after a fall from the hostel building around 11:45 pm on Wednesday.

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The incident has brought attention to allegations of ragging by seniors. Kundu’s friend, a first-year student, detailed the alleged ragging in a Facebook post, attributing it to “a few seniors” and connecting it to Kundu’s tragic fate.

During his visit, the Governor, who also serves as also the Chancellor, spent around 30 minutes at the university, engaging with students, faculty, and speaking with the deceased student’s father. The father has reportedly emphasized that it was not a suicide and has called for a thorough investigation.

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With multiple injuries and fractures, Kundu succumbed to his injuries at 4:30 am during treatment at KPC Medical College. Responding to the incident, the university’s dean of students issued a letter, instructing the relocation of first-year students to the New Boys Hostel for the session 2023-24 and prohibiting outsiders and passed-out students from staying in the hostels.

Various student bodies within the university have raised their voices, demanding a campus free from ragging.