The death of Angel Chakma, a Scheduled Tribe student from Tripura, following an alleged assault in Dehradun’s Selaqui area, has sparked a growing national controversy. The case has now reached a critical stage after the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) issued notices to senior Uttarakhand officials, including Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh, seeking a detailed action-taken report within three days.
The NCST has also sent notices to the Uttarakhand Director General of Police and the District Magistrate of Dehradun, raising serious questions about police conduct, delay in filing the FIR, and the absence of stringent charges despite medical evidence.
Commission Raises Serious Questions
In its notice, the Tribal Commission questioned why the FIR was delayed, why attempt-to-murder charges were not initially added, and what steps were taken to ensure the arrest of the accused and protection of the victim. The Commission is exercising powers equivalent to a civil court and has sought a clear explanation from the authorities.
As protests intensify and political and student organisations join the agitation, scrutiny has increasingly focused on SSP Ajay Singh’s handling of the case.
SSP’s Stand: “No Evidence of Racial Hate Crime”
Responding to the allegations, SSP Ajay Singh stated that police investigations are ongoing and denied the presence of racial or hate-based violence. He said that the incident stemmed from a heated argument that escalated into a physical altercation, not from racial abuse or hate speech.
According to the SSP, the clash occurred on December 9 during a birthday gathering hosted by a Manipur resident. Angel Chakma and his companions allegedly misunderstood certain remarks, leading to a confrontation between two groups.
“During the investigation, no racial slurs or hate speech have been found, nor were such allegations mentioned in the victim’s initial complaint,” Singh said.
Angel Chakma sustained serious injuries in the fight and later died during treatment on December 26.
Arrests Made, One Accused Still Absconding
Police have registered a case against five accused, including two juveniles. Three accused were arrested on December 14, while the juveniles were taken into remand. Another accused, a Nepal national, is absconding, and police have announced a ₹25,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Police teams have reportedly been dispatched to Nepal to trace him.
Student Groups Dispute Police Version
The All India Chakma Students’ Union, in a complaint submitted to the NCST, alleged that the attack was intentional and life-threatening, and accused police of shielding the perpetrators by delaying the FIR and avoiding serious charges.
The union’s senior vice-president Bipul Chakma claimed that law enforcement failed to act promptly, which weakened the case and delayed justice.
Candle Marches and Protests Intensify
Public anger continues to grow. Several organisations held candlelight marches at Gandhi Park, calling the incident a stain on Uttarakhand’s image. Student group AISA also organised a tribute meeting at Gola Park, demanding accountability and justice for Angel Chakma.
Who Is SSP Ajay Singh?
Ajay Singh currently serves as SSP of Dehradun. He joined the police service in 2005 as a Deputy Superintendent of Police through the Provincial Police Service. He was promoted to the Indian Police Service in 2018 (2014 batch).
Before his current posting in September 2023, Singh served as Superintendent of Police, Haridwar, and earlier held several key positions in Dehradun, including CO City, CO Dalanwala, and City SP. He has also served as SP (Rural), Haridwar, SP Personnel at Police Headquarters, and SSP of the Special Task Force (STF).
During his tenure with the STF, he gained prominence for crackdowns on examination paper leak rackets, earning a reputation for strict enforcement.
A Defining Challenge
Now, the Angel Chakma case poses one of the most serious challenges of Ajay Singh’s career. With the Tribal Commission’s scrutiny, nationwide attention, and sustained public protests, the outcome of the investigation is likely to have significant legal and administrative implications.
As demands for a fair and transparent probe grow louder, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether the handling of the case meets constitutional safeguards and principles of justice.
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