NIT Hamirpur MTech student dies of suspected drug overdose; 5 students sent to police custody

A case of culpable homicide has been registered under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the death of the MTech student. 

A first year MTech student of the National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, was found dead at his hostel room on Monday. Police suspects it is death due to drug overdose.

On Wednesday, a local court sent all five persons arrested in connection with the death of the student to the police custody. The police registered a case of culpable homicide against the five accused – four students of NIT and another student doing BEd – besides booking them under the the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for distributing ‘chitta,’ a form of adulterated heroin, on the college campus, as reported by New 18.

Preliminary investigations by the police and forensic team from Mandi has revealed that the death happened possibly due to consumption of some intoxicant. 

Senior BJP leader and former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has termed it as shocking incident and expressed concern over the “growing” cases of drug abuse in the state in general and Hamirpur district in particular. He demanded strong action against the drug mafia.

“Our young generation is slowly dying due to drugs. Therefore, I appeal to the government, administration, society and parents to protect children from getting into drugs," he said.

The background

The death comes amid the NIT annual festival, “Hill Fair”, which has been going on for the last three days. Several students were up till late on Sunday night dancing to the DJ on the institute’s campus. Later, the deceased student found dead in his hostel room.

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