KOZHIKODE: A 16-year-old Class 10 student, Muhammed Shahabas, died around 1am on Saturday at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital after sustaining critical head injuries during a student confrontation near a private tuition centre in the district, authorities confirmed.
Police have detained five students regarding the incident and will charge them with murder. The accused will face proceedings before the Juvenile Justice Board.
Hospital officials confirmed that Muhammed Shahabas was receiving ventilator support before his death.
The conflict originated from a disagreement during a farewell celebration at a tuition centre in Thamarassery on February 23. The situation worsened, resulting in another clash on Thursday.
General education minister V Sivankutty ordered the director of general education on Saturday to conduct a departmental investigation into the occurrence.
The minister issued a statement expressing his sympathies regarding the student’s death.
“The police are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Additionally, the deputy director of education, Kozhikode, has submitted a preliminary report after an inquiry,” he said.
The incident occurred on Vezhuppur Road, Thamarassery, at approximately 5 pm on Thursday, involving pupils from two area schools.
A group of roughly 15 students, including Muhammed Shahabas, together with pupils from the tuition centre, engaged in a violent confrontation with another group on Thursday evening, according to police reports.
At first, Shahabas’s injuries seemed minor, and he received treatment at Thamarassery Taluk Hospital.
Subsequently, his health deteriorated after returning home, necessitating his transfer to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, where he remained unconscious.
Key highlights:
- A 16-year-old student, Muhammed Shahabas, succumbed to severe head injuries at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital following a student altercation near a tuition centre.
- Police have taken five students into custody and are set to charge them with murder. The case will be handled by the Juvenile Justice Board.
- The confrontation reportedly began during a farewell event at a tuition centre in Thamarassery on February 23 and escalated into a violent clash on February 29.
- Education Minister V Sivankutty has directed the Director of General Education to conduct an inquiry, while the Deputy Director of Education, Kozhikode, has already submitted a preliminary report.
- Initially treated for minor injuries, Shahabas’ health deteriorated after returning home, leading to his hospitalization, where he remained unconscious until his death.
