Ryan student murder: Ruling will set example, says father of victim

The victim's father, Barun Thakur, called the ruling a first major milestone in a long struggle for justice.

"We had approached the court appealing that the accused should be treated as an adult, keeping in mind the nature of the crime. My 7-year-old son did not deserve such a brutal end. In fact, no child shall face such a fate. The accused in such cases shall be dealt with utmost harshness," Thakur said.

He also said that the board's decision will set an example in the society that such crimes will not be tolerated. "We have crossed the first milestone in our long journey to get my son justice. This positive result has left all of us hopeful," he added.

"Even if 5 per cent of such elements fear such a treatment by court, it will bring change in the society," the father said.

"We request that carelessness on the school's part should also be looked at and action taken against authorities concerned. The battle is way too long," he said.

The 16-year-old student of Gurugram's Ryan International School, accused of killing 7-year-old Pradyuman Thakur on the campus, will be treated as an adult and undergo a regular court trial, the Juvenile Justice Board ruled on Wednesday.

The Class 2 student was found with his throat slit on September 8. The Haryana police first arrested a school bus conductor for the crime before the CBI took over the case and arrested the juvenile, saying he wanted to have exams and a parent-teacher meeting postponed by killing his schoolmate. His father has alleged that the boy was tortured to confess.