Jharkhand High Court Orders ₹20 Lakh Compensation to Family of Dalit Student Murdered at BIT Mesra

On August 13, the Jharkhand High Court directed BIT Mesra to pay ₹20 lakh compensation to the parents of Raja Paswan, a Dalit diploma student murdered on campus in 2024.

Justice Sanjay Prasad held the college responsible for gross security lapses, including the absence of a boundary wall, inactive CCTVs, and allowing outsiders inside.

The Court issued safety guidelines for all Jharkhand colleges mandating hospital tie-ups, on-campus medical facilities, adequate security, CCTV coverage, grievance cells, and SOPs. Citing Article 21, it stressed students’ right to life.

The bail pleas of four accused were rejected, and police were told to complete a fair investigation.

(Mausam Kumar Singh & Ors v State of Jharkhand & Ors)