Overview
- Dehradun Police constituted a Special Investigation Team to re-examine the December 9 assault that led to 24-year-old Anjel Chakma’s death on December 26.
- Investigators said five accused are in custody, two of them juveniles, while a Nepalese national remains absconding with the reward for his arrest raised to ₹1 lakh.
- Police maintain that the inquiry so far has found no evidence of racial abuse and describe the violence as an escalation of a brief dispute, citing the absence of such claims in the original FIR.
- Chakma’s family and rights groups allege racial slurs were used and have sought a higher-level probe; police indicated they may seek a fresh statement to formally record those allegations.
- The NHRC issued notices seeking a report within seven days, the NCST also sought explanations, and a PIL filed in the Supreme Court calls for stronger safeguards for Northeastern students.