Coimbatore student dies after assault outside college, six arrested

Hindustan College of Engineering has clarified that the fatal assault on third-year student Amudhan occurred outside its campus, even as police arrested six people, including a 17-year-old boy, in connection with his death.

College Principal Jaya said the administration heard on the evening of August 10 that Amudhan had been admitted to a hospital. Representatives of the institution visited the hospital and were subsequently informed that the student had died.

She acknowledged that students from the college were among those arrested but maintained that the assault did not take place on the institution’s premises.

The principal said Amudhan had been suspended in July after a college enquiry found that he had assaulted members of the canteen staff. His parents were summoned to the college, and Amudhan was sent home with them. The student and his parents were asked to return to the institution on August 11 for further proceedings, she added.

Amudhan, 19, was a third-year student at the college. Police said he was allegedly assaulted near Malumichampatti on August 10 and developed breathing difficulties after returning to his room. He was taken to a hospital but died despite treatment.

According to a statement issued by the Coimbatore district police, the case surfaced during an investigation into an earlier incident at a house in Poonga Nagar, Othakkalmandapam. A group had allegedly entered the house, assaulted college student Ilavarasan and others, and taken away a mobile phone.

Chettipalayam police registered a case following a complaint and launched an investigation. During the enquiry, police allegedly found that Amudhan was linked to the incident. A group later intercepted Amudhan and his friend Sriman near Malumichampatti and took them to a ground behind the college, where the two were assaulted, police said.

Based on a complaint lodged by Sriman, Chettipalayam police registered a murder case. Those arrested were identified as Arumugam, 20, of Cuddalore; Aravind, 21, of Sivaganga; Siva Rohit, 20, of Tiruvarur; Mani Balu, 20, of Perambalur; Santhosh, 20, of Madurai; and a 17-year-old boy from Tiruvallur district.

The juvenile’s identity has been withheld in accordance with the law.

Police are continuing their investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the assault and determine the role of each accused.

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