Kolkata: The trial in the Jadavpur University ragging incident could not begin on Monday following a fresh petition filed by all 12 accused currently in police custody. The petitioners moved the Alipore Pocso court pleading they be allowed a spot inspection where the victim fell from the hostel balcony.
“Until the court disposes of the fresh petition by all the accused, the trial cannot begin,” said Madhabi Ghosh, special public prosecutor.
The prosecution maintained that the first set of witnesses was asked to be ready for Monday. “The plan makers, who mapped the crime spot, were present in court. The victim’s father, too, was sounded out,” a source said.
The charge sheet had earlier been placed at the local Pocso court on Oct 19 and the charges were framed in Feb.
“I want strict punishment for those responsible for my son’s death. I have faith in the judiciary. It should set an example so ragging is erased from educational campuses,” the victim’s father said.
“The charges were fra-med under IPC section 305, which caters to abetment of suicide of a child or insane person, and IPC 34. If convicted, the accused can get death or life imprisonment,” a sou-rce said. The cops also slap-ped sections 10, 12 and 17 of Pocso Act and section 4 of West Bengal Prohibition of Ragging In Educational Institutions, 2020, Act.