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Rohith Vemula was not a Dalit, says police report

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 14 February 2017, 5:47 IST

In the latest development in the Rohith Vemula suicide case, NDTV reported that the police report hasn't mentioned the University of Hyderabad scholar as a Dalit.

According to reports, the police mentions his caste as Vaddera caste, an OBC. Union Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and Vice Chancellor of the Hyderabad Central University were booked under the SC/ST Act following outrage over Vemuala's death. However, with the police report claiming that Vemula was an OBC, there is confusion over whether the case against the minister will stand or not.

Dattatreya has been accused of interfering in a squabble between the ABVP and the Ambedkarite group, which Vemula belonged to. Calling the latter anti-nationals, Dattatreya had written a letter to the HRD Ministry, which favoured the ABVP President.

Meanwhile, in another rebuff for Irani, Chief Medical Officer M Rajshree, who confirmed Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula's death, has denied the HRD Minister's claims in Parliament, saying she had reached the scene in three-five minutes.

Later, Vemula along with four other Dalit students were thrown out of their hostels following an internal probe into the matter.

"It was January 17, at around 7.20 PM to 7.30 PM, when I received a call from NRS hostel saying a student has attempted suicide and please rush here. I reached the place within three to five minutes," Rajshree told ANI.

She added that a group of students took her to the room where Rohith had attempted suicide.

"When I reached the place I started examining Rohith. His body was totally cold and rigid. His body wasn't straight, it was a bit curved above the surface of the bed. I tried to examine his pulse rate and blood pressure but it wasn't there, his tongue was protruding too. I completed my examination and declared him dead," she added.

"After 15 to 20 minutes, the police came and asked me if I can stay as they might have some queries, and I said I am very much there," she added.

She stated that the police asked her if she could predict the time of Vemula's death.

"I told them I couldn't provide the exact time but told them that minimum two hours before I reached the hostel he must have died," she added.

Irani on Wednesday pointed out that according to a report submitted to the Telangana High Court, the police had reached Rohith's hospital at 7:20 PM when they found the body.

"The police said that when they reached the hostel, they found the room open and the dead body was on the table. A hand written suicide note was found. The suicide note that was left behind does not blame anyone," she said.

"This is not my submission. This is what the police said. No one allowed a doctor near this child, to revive this child. Instead, his body was used as a political tool. No police was allowed till 6:30 AM the following morning. Who tried to help this child?" she asked.

With ANI inputs

First published: 26 February 2016, 3:02 IST