Overview
- Angel (Anjel) Chakma, 24, died after 17 days in hospital following a December 9 attack in Dehradun in which he and his brother were allegedly abused with racial slurs and assaulted with a knife and a metal kadaa.
- Uttarakhand Police upgraded the case to murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after his death, having earlier invoked attempt-to-murder and conspiracy provisions as medical evidence emerged.
- Five accused have been arrested, including two juveniles sent to a correctional home, while the prime suspect, identified as Yagya Awasthi, remains absconding with a Rs 25,000 reward announced for information.
- Investigators reviewed CCTV footage, took witness statements, and dispatched teams after the absconding suspect, who police say has links to Nepal and Haridwar, with cross-border inquiries under way.
- Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami assured swift action, as student groups and regional leaders demand accountability and a national law against racial hate crimes.