Rajasthan: Navodaya student victim of caste-based harassment, suicide yet to yield justice; family on 5-day protest

AJAK said, ‘The school administration and the police are jointly suppressing the matter, the victim’s family should be compensated.’

Published on: October 19, 2025, 10:12 am

Sikar – Allegations of caste-based harassment and assault of a 14-year-old Scheduled Caste student at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Patan, in Sikar district of Rajasthan have raised serious questions. It is alleged that the student, fed up with the alleged harassment by the school administration, attempted suicide, after which he died during prolonged treatment. Following the incident, the victim’s family and the Dr. Ambedkar Scheduled Caste Officers-Employees Association (AJAK) are raising their voices demanding immediate action against the accused and justice.

The case is from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Patan, where Dheeraj Verma (14), a Class 10 student, was, according to his family, a victim of caste discrimination and abuse at the school. It is alleged that he was harassed and beaten by the administration, resulting in injuries to several parts of his body, including his legs and the elbows of both hands. Distressed by this alleged harassment and torture, Dheeraj attempted suicide by hanging himself from a fan in his hostel room on October 8th.

Upon receiving the information, the school administration first admitted him to the Government Community Health Center, Patan. As his condition worsened, he was referred to Kapil Hospital, Neemkathana, on October 9th. From there, he was taken to Barala Hospital, Chaumu, then to Sawai Mansingh Hospital, Jaipur, and finally to JK Lawn Hospital, Jaipur, where he died on the night of October 13th despite prolonged treatment.

FIR number 195/2025 lodged at Patan police station alleges that the school administration presented false facts.

Serious allegations by the family, FIR registered

The family alleges that the incident occurred on October 8th, but the school administration reported it a day later, on October 9th. Furthermore, FIR No. 195/2025, lodged at the Patan police station, alleges that the school administration misrepresented facts. According to the FIR, the school claimed that the boy attended four periods on October 9th, while medical records prove that he was referred to another hospital for treatment at 11:30 a.m. that same day.

The FIR was filed at the Patan police station on October 12th, under sections 115(2), 126(2), 109(1), 61(2), 238(a) of the BNS Act, and sections 3(2)(va) and 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The family members have leveled serious allegations against the responsible teachers and officials of the school administration.

The family of the deceased student is staging a sit-in protest demanding justice. They allege that investigating officers have not yet arrested the accused named in the FIR. They say the school administration is exploiting the delay and negligence in police action to suppress the case. Despite the prima facie clear case, the accused are not being arrested.

AJAK demands: Speedy justice and compensation

Shriram Chordia, President of Dr. Ambedkar Scheduled Caste Officers-Employees Association (AJAK) Rajasthan, has written a letter to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and District Superintendent of Police, Sikar, placing the following demands:

1. There should be an order to take action under the SC/ST (POA) Act against all the accused who forced Dheeraj Verma to commit suicide and arrest them immediately.

2. The dependents of the deceased should be provided compensation of Rs 1 crore, government job, agricultural land and monthly pension of Rs 5000 to the family.

3. To ensure that the accused are punished as per the legal provisions, the case should be registered under the “Case Officer Scheme” and a very sensitive and impartial officer at the district level should be appointed as the Case Officer.

4. Orders should be issued to provide financial assistance to the victims in the case with immediate effect under Rule 12 (4) of the SC/ST (PoA) Act.

5. To ensure the safety of victims and witnesses, action should be taken under Section 15 (a) of the SC/ST (PoA) Act.

6. Order action under Section 4 of the SC/ST (PoA) Act against the police officers/employees who were negligent in the matter.

7. Necessary guidelines should be issued to protect students from caste discrimination and torture in educational institutions.