Maharashtra: Medical student stabbed to death on campus in Yavatmal

The victim, Ashok Pal, was a third-year MBBS student

A 23-year-old medical student was stabbed to death in Yavatmal Government Medical College, also known as Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College, on Wednesday night. The murder led to agitation by the doctors at the college campus, forcing the in-charge dean to resign from the post. The incident took place when Ashok Pal, a third-year MBBS student, was returning to the hostel from the library and two unidentified assailants stabbed him. Some other students found him in a pool of blood and alerted others. Pal was rushed to the casualty department where he was declared dead on arrival.

Resident doctors staged a demonstration, seeking a detailed investigation, on Thursday

Yavatmal Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Dilip Patil Bhujbal said, "The doctor sustained fatal injuries on his heart and lower back, resulting in death. We have formed two-three teams to nab the accused and have arrested two people so far. We are probing all the angles." The two arrested accused are Akash Gophne, 21, and Tushar Nagdevte, 24, from Waghapur, 500 kms away from the medical college. They were produced in court and have been sent to police custody.

MARD has launched agitation in the college premises demanding detailed investigation into the incident including motive of the attack. Dr Anup Saha, MARD president of the college, said, "The incident shows that the security in college has gone for a toss. Another incident took place two months ago wherein some outsiders barged into the girls' hostel and peed there. When we objected, it led to a fight. We suspect the same people are behind this attack too."

The deceased's uncle, Dr Sanjay Pal, said, "Ashok was a dedicated student. He wanted to be a doctor to serve society. His father is an auto driver in Thane and mother does odd jobs to support his studies. It was just a matter of a few months, till he completed the course." Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh has taken serious note of the incident and spoke with the SP and district collector, asking them to take action against the culprits.

10 Nov
Day Ashok Pal was stabbed to death