Five Arrested in Dehradun Student Death; Police Say No Evidence of Racially Motivated Attack So Far

Uttarakhand Police have arrested five people in connection with the death of Anjel Chakma, a student from Tripura who died following a violent altercation in Dehradun. The case has drawn national attention amid allegations that the incident was triggered by racial abuse, claims that the police say are not supported by evidence at this stage of the investigation.

Police Form Special Team, Reject Racial Angle for Now

Addressing the media, Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh said a special investigation team has been constituted to probe the circumstances surrounding the death in detail. He stated that preliminary findings do not corroborate allegations made by the victim’s brother, Michael Chakma, who had suggested the attack was racially motivated.

According to the police, one of the five arrested accused is a resident of Manipur, while the others are from different backgrounds. SSP Singh clarified that the investigation so far has not revealed deliberate racial targeting of the victim or his brother.

What Police Say Happened

Police officials said the incident occurred after one of the accused hosted a birthday celebration with friends. The group had allegedly consumed alcohol before arriving at the location where the confrontation took place.

During questioning, the accused reportedly told investigators that certain remarks exchanged at the spot were meant as jokes within their own group and were not directed at Anjel Chakma or his brother. These comments, police said, were misunderstood, leading to an argument.

According to SSP Singh, the Chakma brothers intervened after perceiving the remarks as offensive and asked the group to stop. This intervention allegedly escalated tensions.

“In the heat of the moment, a verbal dispute broke out, which later turned into a physical altercation,” the SSP said, adding that the injuries sustained during the scuffle eventually led to Anjel Chakma’s death.

No Proof of Intentional Racial Slurs, Say Investigators

Police reiterated that, based on evidence collected so far, there is no confirmation that racial slurs were intentionally used against the victim. Officials said the comments were described by the accused as casual remarks among friends, but were taken negatively by the victim’s side.

However, SSP Singh emphasised that the investigation remains open and all aspects of the case are being examined thoroughly.

Search On for Remaining Accused

Authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the remaining suspects involved in the incident. Police said further forensic analysis, witness statements and technical evidence are being reviewed to establish a clear sequence of events.

Broader Concerns and Sensitivity

The case has sparked concern over the safety of students from India’s Northeast studying in other parts of the country, an issue that has surfaced repeatedly over the years. While police have urged the public to avoid speculation until the investigation is complete, civil society groups and student organisations are closely watching the case, calling for a transparent and impartial probe.

Uttarakhand Police have assured that strict action will be taken based on facts and evidence, regardless of the identities of those involved, and that justice will be pursued through due legal process.