Bangalore ragging victim dies in hospital

Ajmal PM, 18, a student who suffered burn injuries under mysterious circumstances in his college hostel, died while undergoing treatment in Victoria hospital. The end came around 11.30 pm on Thursday. 
 
Ajmal, a native of Kannur in Kerala and first year aeronautical student of Sha-Shib College near Yelahanka Air Force base, was admitted to the hospital with 65% burn injuries on March 22.
The fire incident happened when he was taking bath after playing tennis in the hostel premises.

Police had filed an attempt to murder case based on the statement given by Ajmal from his hospital bed on March 22.

Ajmal alleged that three failed students of the same college were behind the fire. He told police that they used to rag him and demand money. He confessed to his parents that he was even forced to steal his mother’s gold chain to get money for his tormentors.

He stated that on March 22, at 9.30 pm, he had gone to the bathroom .

“I smelt of thinner and suspected something fishy. So I changed three rooms all of which smelt of thinner.   Thinking that cleaners might have washed the toilets with thinner, I started bathing,” he said. He told police that three students started the fire at the roofless bathroom.

When police enquired students about ragging in their hostel and college, they kept mum.

“College authorities told us that they have an anti-ragging squad in the college and Ajmal never complained to them,” police said. They said Ajmal was an irregular student and had failed in four subjects.   “As we did not find anything related to the ragging, we will wait for his parents to file a complaint. Further action will be taken after that,” said deputy commissioner of police (north-east) G Ramesh.

“Forensic experts have collected samples and we are awaiting their report,” he said. Chikkajala police refused to comment on whether it was a case of suicide or murder.  “We are yet to find the cause of the fire,” they said. Ajmal’s body was taken to his hometown on Friday.