Student protests lands in jail, misses board exam paper:17-yr-old minor jailed by mistake, holds collector responsible; Congress leaders to meet him

I kept telling the jail staff repeatedly that I have a 12th grade exam from 9 AM. Please let me go quickly, but they didn’t listen. The Youth Congress leaders with whom I was protesting are now refusing to recognize me. Please help me take the exam, save my career from being ruined. This is what a minor 12th grade student has to say. On February 8, the Shahdol Collector sent three people including the student to jail for allegedly showing black flags to the CM’s convoy. After realizing the mistake, they were released, but by then it was too late. As a result, he couldn’t appear for his first English exam. Congress state president Jitu Patwari meeting him in Shahdol on Friday. The student has appealed to Collector Kedar Singh to save his career. The student is originally from Mauganj district. He is studying while staying at his uncle’s place in the Budhar area of Shahdol. His actual age is 17 years 5 months. Dainik Bhaskar team reached the student’s village to meet him. Read the report… Family members said – He hasn’t eaten anything since morning Outside the student’s house in the village, two people are cleaning a large cooler. Nearby, a 16-17 year old boy is sitting on a bench with his hand on his forehead. The elders of the house are asking him not to do so, but anxiety is clearly visible on his face. He keeps sitting with his hand on his forehead intermittently, as if a great misfortune or calamity has occurred. First introduced myself to the family members. Then asked about the student, the male family members say – this is him. Even after refusing, he sits like he’s mourning. Hasn’t eaten or drunk anything since morning. Asked him – what happened that day?, he says – it wasn’t my fault. Student said – Someone hit me with a stick, then took me to the police station The student said, “On February 8, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav was coming to Dhanpuri in Shahdol. We had received the message beforehand. I reached the spot with village friends where CM sir’s convoy was supposed to pass. Police were deployed in large numbers, but we still managed to show black flags to the CM’s convoy. When I was raising slogans on the road, someone hit me hard with a stick from behind. After that, the police caught me. They beat me with shoes and kicks. They didn’t give any medicine when I was groaning in pain… Then they took me to the hospital but didn’t give any medicine. I was groaning in pain. The police brought several people with me to the station. They released them one by one within one-two hours. I thought they would release me too. It was 10 o’clock at night. I was getting anxious, but had no idea that I would be sent to Budhar jail. Was sent to jail at night itself. Meanwhile, the 12th grade English board exam was on February 10th. Had prepared for a whole year,” he added. Made to remove clothes in jail, was very scared Felt strange as soon as I entered Budhar jail. Got scared. Had to write my name in two-three places on papers. After that, an uncle called me aside and made me remove my clothes one by one. I couldn’t understand why this was happening. Was very scared. They took me inside and locked me in the barrack. Got a blanket in the barracks, spent the night sleeping on the ground. Was woken up at 6 AM and made to pray. Was feeling very hungry too. Hadn’t eaten properly for two days. Had to eat a little bit in the evening out of necessity. The jail staff and inmates didn’t beat me, but the atmosphere kept making me anxious. Jail staff said – It’s exam time, you will be released The student said that around 10 PM on February 9th, a jail staff member came. Asked – Do you have an exam tomorrow? When I said yes, they left. After some time, they made me talk to an officer on video call. They said – You will be released tomorrow morning. Two of my friends were also in jail with me. I told them to release them too. To this they said – The order is only for me, because of the exam. Told police about the exam paper many times I kept telling the police officers that I had a paper at 9 AM on February 10, please let me go quickly. But they didn’t listen. Finally, I was released at 7 AM. As soon as I got out of jail, I ran towards the bus stand on foot. On the way, I got a lift from a police uncle. He dropped me at the bus stand. When I told him about the exam, he gave me 50 rupees. He also gave his mobile number asking me to inform once I reach home. I reached home around 8:45. From there, I ran towards the Raghuraj School examination center with my admit card. Finally arrived there at 10 o’clock. But, by then it was too late. Was stopped at the gate. A teacher standing at the gate said – It’s been more than an hour, you cannot go inside now. Student cannot forget the 40 hours spent in jail The student said that I spent 40 hours in jail. Each moment felt like 40 years. I never thought this would happen to me. Every face inside the jail and other scenes keep coming before my eyes again and again. Now I’m preparing for the other paper, but can’t concentrate. Family members are also worried seeing the student’s condition. They say – We are trying to explain a lot, but it’s not having any effect. Not leaving the son alone. He wakes up startled at night. Drinks water repeatedly. Unable to focus on studies. Requested to Collector – Please arrange for the exam The student says that I haven’t committed any crime till now. Parents do farming in the village. When officials knew that the paper was on February 10th, why didn’t they release me on the 9th? If that had happened, I would have definitely passed. The student says that when the collector has the power to send a minor to jail, can’t they arrange for me to take the exam again? Please arrange for my 12th grade English exam. Congress district president says – Sent to jail due to political vendetta Congress District President Ajay Awasthi said that police used lathi charge on innocent workers. They were sent to jail due to political vendetta. In protest of this, the District Congress Committee held a sit-in and submitted a memorandum on Tuesday. On Friday, State Congress President Jitu Patwari will reach Shahdol. A protest will be held by surrounding the collectorate here. Lawyer says – Administration violated rules Senior advocate Pradeep Singh says that three people including a minor student were arrested under section 151 and sent to jail. Efforts were made throughout the day for bail, but the Tehsildar refused. The officers left in the evening. Later, Aadhar cards and marksheets of all were called for. One student among them turned out to be a minor. After this, the administration woke up. The administration said they would grant bail to the minor and consider the others, but we insisted on bail for all three. The next day, the administration released the minor on their own. He also missed his exam. The administration has taken wrong action. The station in-charge should have checked the Aadhar before the arrest. On the other hand, the Tehsildar also did not check it. Even later, as per rules, the police should have handed over the student to his family members. Now we will file a petition in the High Court. SP said – Sent to jail on Tehsildar’s statement SP Ramji Srivastava says that three people who created disruption during the Chief Minister’s convoy were arrested. Based on the names and ages provided by the arrested persons, police prepared documents and presented them before the Executive Magistrate, who ordered them to be sent to jail.