Kin to Lodge Complaint After Shraddh: The grief-stricken Mondal family of Nimta, North Dum Dum, has decided to pursue legal action following the sudden death of their daughter, Anamika “Mistu” Mondal, a third-year English student at Jadavpur University. After completing her shraddh ceremony on Sunday, the family announced that they will file a murder complaint against “unknown persons,” refusing to accept the preliminary police claim that she died by “accidental drowning.”
Kin to Lodge Complaint After Shraddh: The Tragedy on Campus
On Thursday night, during a cultural event at Jadavpur University, Anamika’s lifeless body was discovered in a pond inside the campus. The area was poorly lit, and initial reports suggest she may have slipped into the water. However, her father, Arnab Mondal, rejects the explanation:
“My daughter could not have simply drowned. I will file a complaint of murder. We waited for the shraddh to end; from tomorrow, our fight for justice begins.”
The family alleges negligence by the campus security staff, pointing out that the guards were indifferent and safety measures inadequate.
Family in Mourning
The Mondals’ Lalit Gupta Street residence fell silent on Sunday as neighbours gathered for the rituals. Anamika’s mother, Meenakshi Devi, who has been recovering from a paralytic stroke, collapsed during the ceremony, unable to cope with the devastating loss.
Local resident Uday Narayan Chatterjee described the atmosphere:
“It was heartbreaking to see helpless parents perform the shraddh of their only daughter. None of us had the courage to console them.”
Friends and neighbours remember Anamika, known fondly as Mistu, as a bright and soft-spoken girl with dreams of opening a small library to help underprivileged children.
Questions of Accountability
The case raises urgent concerns about student safety in Indian universities. Critics point to glaring lapses:
- Lack of fencing and lighting around water bodies on campus.
- Absence of crowd control during cultural events.
- Slow emergency response, with questions over how quickly she was found and attended to.
Jadavpur University has faced scrutiny before regarding campus safety. Similar concerns have been echoed across institutions in India where students have suffered accidents due to inadequate infrastructure. For example, in 2023, a student in Chennai drowned in a college pond, sparking debates about campus negligence (The Hindu).
The Legal Path Ahead
By filing a murder complaint, the Mondals push the case into the realm of criminal law:
- IPC Section 302 (Murder): If intentional harm is proven.
- IPC Section 304 (Culpable Homicide): If death was caused by reckless action.
- IPC Section 304A (Death by Negligence): If institutional or security failures are established.
The autopsy, forensic reports, CCTV footage, and witness testimonies will be crucial in determining liability. According to India’s legal framework, families are entitled to demand an independent probe if dissatisfied with initial police findings (PRS Legislative Research).
Institutional Responsibility
Universities have a duty of care to ensure student safety. In India, guidelines from the University Grants Commission (UGC) emphasize the need for campuses to maintain safety standards, especially during events. Yet, implementation often lags behind.
This case could become a turning point for stricter enforcement. Experts say universities should:
- Install fencing and lights near ponds and hazardous zones.
- Train security staff in emergency response.
- Conduct mandatory safety audits before cultural festivals.
- Provide first aid and rescue equipment on standby.
Failure to comply could invite administrative penalties and civil liability for damages.
Emotional and Social Fallout
The tragedy resonates beyond one family. In Kolkata, where Jadavpur University holds cultural significance, student groups have begun discussions about organizing protests demanding accountability.
Psychologists note that such incidents can leave lasting trauma for peers and weaken community trust in institutions. Support groups are calling for counselling services for students who may be shaken by the event.
Wider Context
Campus safety has become a national concern:
- In 2019, the Supreme Court of India emphasized that educational institutions must ensure safe environments for students, citing negligence as a form of violation of the right to life (Supreme Court judgments database).
- NGOs working on youth safety argue that accidents like these reflect systemic negligence and the need for legal accountability.
Internationally, universities have responded to similar tragedies with strict policies. For example, US campuses with water bodies enforce fencing, lighting, and night-time patrols. Indian universities are yet to adopt such standards comprehensively.
What Lies Ahead
The Mondals’ decision to move forward with a murder complaint ensures that the case will not be closed quickly. The outcome could:
- Trigger a criminal trial if evidence suggests foul play.
- Lead to charges of criminal negligence against the university.
- Push regulatory authorities to frame new campus safety norms.
- Inspire wider debates about institutional accountability in India’s higher education system.
For Arnab and Meenakshi Mondal, however, the battle is deeply personal — a quest to honor their daughter’s memory and seek justice.
Conclusion
Anamika Mondal’s death has laid bare the fragile state of campus safety in India. Her family’s refusal to accept official explanations underscores a larger crisis of trust between citizens and institutions. Whether the courts prove foul play, negligence, or accident, the case raises urgent questions: How safe are India’s universities, and who is truly accountable when tragedy strikes?
The answers may come only after a long legal struggle, but one thing is certain — the Mondals will not let their daughter’s story fade into silence.
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