In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the Ahmedabad city, a 15-year-old Class 10 student was fatally stabbed by a younger schoolmate at the Seventh-Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad’s Khokhra area. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon, stemmed from a minor scuffle between the two students, escalating into violence that claimed the victim’s life. The aftermath saw chaotic protests, vandalism of school property, and heightened communal tensions, with police deploying heavily to restore order.
A Fatal Quarrel Between Students
The victim, identified as Nayan Girishbhai Sindhi, a Class 10 student belonging to the Sindhi community, was allegedly attacked by a student from Class 9 outside the school premises. The accused, a 14- or 15-year-old boy reportedly from the Muslim community, pulled out a knife during the altercation and stabbed Nayan multiple times. Eyewitness accounts suggest the weapon may have been a sharp object, possibly even a physics lab instrument, though police have recovered a knife as the murder weapon.
According to initial investigations, the conflict had roots in a previous scuffle that occurred about a week earlier. The two students, who knew each other through school activities, got into an argument again on Tuesday, which quickly turned physical. School authorities rushed the injured student to a nearby private hospital in Maninagar, where he was declared dead due to severe blood loss and internal injuries. The accused was apprehended shortly after, and a case under sections related to murder and juvenile offenses has been registered against him. As the perpetrator is a minor, proceedings will fall under the Juvenile Justice Act.
The school, a private English-medium institution run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, has been criticized for lax security measures. District authorities have issued a notice to the management, questioning how a weapon was brought onto or near the premises and why the initial quarrel wasn’t addressed promptly. A detailed probe is underway, with police examining CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses to reconstruct the events.
Chaos and Vandalism Erupt
News of Nayan’s death spread rapidly, triggering an outpouring of grief and anger from his family, relatives, and members of the Sindhi community. By Wednesday morning, a large crowd had gathered outside the school gates, demanding justice and accountability from the administration. What began as a peaceful protest soon turned violent, with protesters barging into the school property.
Visuals from the scene, captured and shared widely on social media, show mobs breaking windows, doors, and furniture, including televisions and desks in classrooms and administrative areas.
School staff were not spared; reports indicate that the principal and several teachers were physically assaulted, with one staff member being dragged by the collar and beaten. Vehicles parked on the premises, including school buses, cars, and two-wheelers, were damaged in the rampage.
The communal angle added fuel to the fire. With the victim from the Sindhi (Hindu) community and the accused reportedly from the Muslim community, right-wing groups such as the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) joined the protests. Activists from these organizations accused the school of negligence and demanded stricter action against the accused, framing the incident in broader terms of community safety.
Police Response
Ahmedabad Police acted swiftly to contain the situation. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sharad Singhal addressed the media, stating: “Two students entered into a quarrel yesterday. One of them stabbed the other; he died… People protested outside the school and vandalized here. Police reached here on time… The situation is stable right now. The antim yatra (funeral procession) of the child will happen this evening. Police will be present there too.” Heavy deployments, including riot control units, were stationed around the school and the victim’s neighborhood to prevent any untoward incidents.
As the funeral procession proceeds this evening, the city remains on edge. Police have assured full security, but the incident serves as a grim reminder of how quickly student rivalries can turn deadly and divide communities. For now, Ahmedabad mourns a young life lost too soon, hoping for justice and healing amid the chaos.