The judicial remand of 12 youths — students and former students of Jadavpur University — accused of the murder of a first-year undergraduate student in the university’s main hostel was extended till September 25 by a court on Monday.
The defence lawyers of the 12 men submitted before the court that the death of the 17-year-old was “unfortunate” but the youths who have been arrested have the scope for a “bright future” ahead of them, which should be considered.
One of the defence lawyers said his client has his first-year semester examination and hence should be released on bail.
The public prosecutor said: “The young boy who died also had a bright future ahead of him. The very fact that he was found naked is proof enough of the physical and mental torture he was subjected to.”
The case that was being probed by Jadavpur police station was formally taken over by the homicide wing of Calcutta police’s detective department last week and charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were added to the case.
After the addition of the POCSO charge, the hearing of the case was shifted to the
Alipore POCSO court on Monday.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court granted the prayer of the prosecution to extend the judicial remand of the 12 men till September 25.
The former students in the group had allegedly stayed on in the JU Main Hostel despite having graduated from the university and they are said to have played leadership roles there.
The 12 have been charged with murder, sexual harassment of a minor and common intention.
The 12 are accused of ragging their junior and throwing the 17-year-old first-year undergraduate student from the second-floor balcony of the hostel.
Hours before his death, the first-year student had contacted his mother over the phone and told her that he was feeling “very scared” and had asked her to come and take him home, the police said.