A month on, no action against SFI leaders who assaulted BTech student in Cochin

The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is yet to initiate disciplinary action against the SFI leaders who brutally attacked a student pursuing BTech Instrumentation at the university last month.

On January 19, SFI unit president Rahul Peralam, secretary Prajith K Babu and their friend whose name has not been revealed, hit BTech student Azil Aboobacker with their car and beat him with iron rods at the university entrance. Azil was attacked around 11.30pm while he was waiting for his friend.

Though Cusat Vice-Chancellor K N Madhusoodanan had promised the student delegation which met him on January 20 that stringent action will be taken against the culprits within two days, he has extended the deadline of the three-member committee constituted to look into the matter multiple times.

When contacted, Madhusoodanan told TNIE that lack of interest from students to appear before the committee was the reason for the delay in the submission of a report.

“The committee members informed me that though they called several students, none was ready to respond. The committee report is expected by the end of this month,” he said. Countering the VC's claim, the students said they had never received any intimation about a hearing.

“Since our protest march on January 20, we have been hearing promises from authorities. However, we have not received any information about a hearing. Though a couple of us reached out to the officials, we did not get any positive response. Luckily, Azil has recovered and started attending classes,” said a student seeking anonymity.

Leaders absconding

Police officials said the SFI leaders involved in the attack were absconding. “The students have not been coming to college. Though we sent squads to their home towns, we couldn't find any leads. At present, around 15 armed police officers and two local officers have been deployed on the campus for round-the-clock patrolling,” said an officer with the Kalamassery police station.

Students refuted the police's claims. “The two students were very active in their union's cultural programme 'Medha' which was held recently,” said a student.

Past incident

SFI unit secretary Prajith K Babu was among the three SFI members, who were arrested by the Central Police in the chair burning case at Maharaja’s College on January 18, 2017. However, Madhusoodanan said there was nothing wrong in giving admission to him. “We checked his documents and found that he had submitted the ones required, including the conduct certificate,” he said.