JU student death case: Investigation explores possible POCSO angle

West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) on Monday said prima facie it is of the view that the unnatural death of a first-year undergraduate student at Jadavpur University Boys main hostel be dealt under the provisions of POCSO.
But for making such an official recommendation the panel needs to first get a copy of the FIR, WBCPCR chairperson Sudeshna Roy said. The panel has already perused other documents concerning the age of the boy and now ascertaining exactly what he went through on August 9 evening and night at the hostel, she said.
As the boy was below 18 years of age, the commission is preliminary of the considered view that this case be treated under provisions of POCSO – after talking to his family, the circumstances leading to his fall and death but official documents like FIR copy is needed for any such final recommendation, Roy said. “We have asked for an FIR copy filed after his fall from the balcony and his death from the police. We have also perused his other documents including age-related ones. And going by the chain of events, as narrated, leading to the death of the minor, prima facie we have reason to suggest that it be dealt with under POCSO,” she said.
WBCPCR advisor Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborty said in a Facebook post the boy should not be identified as he is “a Protection of children from of sexual offences (POCSO) victim”. “The deceased student of Jadavpur University is a minor and a “POCSO” victim. Kindly do not use his NAME,” she posted on social media. The commission in a statement said on Saturday “We are deeply concerned about the incident in which a 17+ minor boy, a first-year student of Jadavpur University died under debatable circumstances in the hostel premises. “It is further alleged that his life ended due to dubious behaviour and actions of people who were staying in the hostel, some of whom were allegedly outsiders and illegal residents. The Commission has taken a grave view of the incident,” the statement added.