- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:34 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
A 22-year-old college student, who allegedly self-immolated after being refused permission to sit for an exam due to unpaid fees in Budhana town, succumbed to his injuries at Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital on Sunday evening, police confirmed.
SSP Sanjay Kumar stated that three policemen Sub-Inspector Nand Kishor and constables Vineet and Gyanvir have been shifted to police lines for dereliction of duty.
The student, Ujjwal Rana, was identified by his uncle, Sachin Rana, who confirmed his death during treatment.
Ujjwal, a second-year BA student of DAV College, Budhana, had sustained 70 per cent burn injuries after setting himself on fire on Saturday. He was initially taken to a local hospital and later referred to Delhi in critical condition.
According to police authorities, the student was rushed to a local hospital and then transferred to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries late Sunday.
In a handwritten suicidal note and a video recorded before the act, he named the college principal and three police personnel as responsible for his situation, alleging physical assault, humiliation, and threats.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. SSP Kumar said that teams have been formed to arrest the accused named in the case. According to the complaint lodged by Ujjwal’s family, the accused police personnel were called by the college principal when the victim staged a protest after alleged denial of permission to appear in the exam.
The deceased’s family has alleged that the police personnel harassed him.
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai has blamed both the Yogi Adityanath government and the Centre for Ujjwal’s death, calling it a reflection of the deep flaws in the state’s education system.
In a statement, Rai said the incident reflects the state of the education system and called it a “murder by the system”. He said Ujjwal’s death shows how students face pressure from college administrations and local authorities over fees, and that education in the state has been commercialised. He further said that when such incidents happen, the chief minister is seen campaigning in other states. The party has demanded Rs 1 crore compensation and a government job for Ujjwal’s family. It has also sought a law to regulate private institutions’ fee, and creation of a aid fund for financially weak students, the statement added.
The Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), an ally of the ruling BJP, has condemned the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Disclaimer: If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to one of these helpline numbers: 022-27546669 (Aasra, Mumbai), +91 44 2464 0050 (Sneha, Chennai), 011-23389090, (Sumaitri, Delhi), 040-66202000 (Roshni, Hyderabad) , +91 11 41198666 (Sangath Tele-Counselling), 1800-599-0019 (Kiran), +918422984528, +91 8422984529 and +91 8422984530 (Samaritans), +91 8448440632 (Manodarpan), 14416 and 1800-891-4416 (Tele-MANAS)