Exclusive: “I want justice for my son”: Father of Jadavpur University student to Mamata Banerjee; CM assures “speedy investigation & justice”. Police add Sec 302

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke with the father of Swapnadeep Kundu, a first-year undergraduate student at Jadavpur University who died under mysterious circumstances, on Thursday and assured “justice will be done with fast paced investigation”. Ram Prasad Kundu, the father was in a helpless state and broke down while speaking with the Chief Minister over the phone and expressed apprehension that his son “could have been tortured and killed”.

The conversation lasted for several minutes in which Ram Prasad narrated to the Chief Minister about the last conversation Swapnadeep had had with his mother on Wednesday where he allegedly told his mother “he was under distress and wanted to return home at the earliest, wanted family to come and rescue him”, claim sources privy to the conversation between the father and CM.

According to sources, Mamata Banerjee later enquired from police about the matter, ordered a speedy investigation and to “spare no one involved if there is any foul play behind the death” of the 18 year old student.

Swapnadeep was found in a pool of blood on Wednesday night, underneath the hostel balcony on the second floor. He was in room number 68 oof the A-2 block of Jadavpur University Main Hostel on Prince Gulam Hussain Shah Road. Those who rushed him to the hospital claim there were multiple injury marks on his body, unclear if they were fresh in nature or old. He was taken to the KPC Medical College and Hospital, where he was declared dead on Thursday morning.

He took admission to Jadavpur University Bengali department for under graduation course, the semester had begun this week and Swapnadeep had attended the first sessions. The family has alleged possibility of ragging behind the death. The complaint given by the father has expressed fear that “someone from the hostel is responsible for the death” of his and accordingly police have added section 302 IPC, murder charges in the ongoing probe. Four students were detained on Thursday for questioning. There were minimum clothes on the body of Swapnadeep when recovered. It is suspected that he could have fallen from the balcony. Police sources say they are “investigating if he had fallen on his own or was deliberately pushed by someone, thrown off the balcony with the motive to kill him”

Widespread protests were witnessed inside the University campus on Wednesday by the students who accused the university authorities of negligence and not being serious enough to have a robust anti ragging system. The university authorises have dismissed such claims. “ we are very upset with the death of such a young boy. We wish he had told us instead of giving the distress call to family. We were here and could haver intervened immediately. We are very serious to complaints of ragging. We have so many helpline numbers for people to dial”, said Sanjay Gopal Sarkar, Joint Registrar, Jadavpur University.


“I can’t believe what has happened to my son. He was the elder one and was very excited about his admission in JU. But in the past few days he would call his mother and cry for help, would plead to come and take him back home. We were supposed to meet him on Thursday but then he is gone. I want justice for my son, how did he die like this”, said Ram Prasad Kundu while vehemently opposing any possibility of suicide. The post-mortem report is pending and can throw light to the investigation.

Jadavpur University students are united in grief and solidarity with the bereaved family. They fear Swapnadeep, a young life cut short due to alleged torture in name of ragging.