Bengaluru Student Assaulted by Seniors For Not Shaving Beard, Case Filed Against 17

Bengaluru: A second-year BBA aviation student at Krupanidhi Group of Institutions in Bengaluru was assaulted by his seniors for not shaving his moustache and beard. The incident took place on August 30 near a church in Hadosiddapura.

The student, Dhruv (name changed), 21, from Kerala, was allegedly attacked by three seniors—Xavier, Vishnu, and Sharath—along with a group of seven to eight other students. Dhruv had been pressured to shave his facial hair when he joined the college in April, but he refused to comply.

According to Dhruv, the seniors repeatedly ragged him on campus and even visited his rented house. On Friday, Dhruv received a call from one of the seniors, who asked him to meet near the church. Dhruv went with his roommates, anticipating trouble.

The group assaulted Dhruv when he refused to shave, resulting in a fractured shoulder and forehead injuries. Dhruv was taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery. His family was also reportedly threatened by the assailants at the hospital.

A case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 118(1) and 118(2) for causing hurt with dangerous weapons, 126(2) for wrongful restraint, 189(2) for unlawful assembly, 190 for accountability of illegal assembly members, 191(2) for rioting, and 351 for criminal intimidation.

The college management has promised to take action against the assaulters. The Bellandur police have served notices to the accused and are investigating the case.