The tragic death of Anamika Mondal, a 22-year-old third-year English Honours student at Jadavpur University, continues to cast a shadow over the prestigious institution, as her family demands justice amid growing suspicions of foul play. Anamika, a resident of Nimta in North 24 Parganas, was discovered unconscious near a pond on the university campus late on Thursday evening, September 12. Despite frantic rescue efforts by fellow students and prompt medical intervention, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital. The incident has sparked widespread concern about student safety on campus, particularly for young women, with the National Commission for Women (NCW) calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances.
Preliminary post-mortem findings, have confirmed drowning as the primary cause of death. Authorities noted the presence of water in her lungs but found no signs of internal or external injuries on her body. However, the full autopsy report remains pending, with a crucial viscera test underway to determine if alcohol or other intoxicants were involved. This aspect has fuelled fears among investigators and the bereaved family that Anamika may have been under the influence of substances at the time, potentially impairing her judgment or mobility near the water body.
Eyewitness accounts suggest Anamika had been attending a campus event that extended beyond permitted hours, raising questions about oversight at the university. Police have summoned at least seven of her close friends for questioning, including those who initially pulled her from the pond. While no arrests have been made, the probe is intensifying, with officers examining the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.
In a heartfelt plea to the media outside the family home, Anamika's father expressed profound grief and outrage. "My daughter was vibrant and full of life; I fear her so-called friends may have led her to this fate," he said, alleging that she might have been coerced into consuming alcohol before being pushed or falling into the pond. Vowing not to rest until the truth emerges, he announced plans to file a First Information Report (FIR) for murder, urging police to treat the case as a homicide rather than an accident. "We will fight this in every court if needed. No parent should endure such loss without answers," he added, as relatives gathered in mourning.
The university administration has faced scrutiny over the late-night event, which reportedly continued past 8 p.m. despite regulations. JU officials have extended condolences and pledged full cooperation with the investigation, but calls for enhanced security measures and counselling services for students are mounting.
As the viscera results are awaited, the Mondal family clings to hope for clarity in this heartbreaking saga. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by students in academic environments, prompting renewed discussions on campus safety protocols across West Bengal. Jadavpur University has come under intense scrutiny following this tragedy, compounded by the haunting memory of a first-year minor student who was killed in a university hostel in 2023. That incident, which involved allegations of ragging and negligence, had already tarnished the institution’s reputation. Time and again, the university has faced criticism for its open drinking culture on campus, despite regulations prohibiting such activities. Students have historically opposed the installation of CCTV cameras, citing privacy concerns, but two back-to-back deaths in as many years have cast a long shadow over the institution, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols and accountability.
