NLU Delhi Student Death: Exposes Shocking Details

NLU Delhi Student Death: Mystery Deepens

Amrutavarshiny Senthil Kumar, a third-year BA LLB (Honours) student at National Law University Delhi, was found dead in her hostel on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Following the tragic incident, the university swiftly issued a notice, declaring holidays on September 5th and 6th as part of their condolence message. The weekend's non-working days extended the closure.

However, our investigation into Amrutavarshiny's death has unearthed troubling details that demand public attention. Several individuals, including professors, hostel staff, students, and her close friends, spoke to The Probe on the condition of anonymity. Their accounts paint a harrowing picture of the college environment, particularly for students like Amrutavarshiny, who dared to raise their voices against sexual harassment.

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A professor from NLUD, who requested anonymity, shared with The Probe: “We are all deeply shocked by this news. I used to teach her, and recently I observed she appeared increasingly distressed during class. On Wednesday morning, we noticed her absence and soon after, we were informed of her alleged suicide. Amrutavarshiny was very outspoken and raised her voice against sexual harassment cases at NLU Delhi. In one instance, despite a proctorial enquiry, only superficial measures were taken against the alleged perpetrator. NLUD seems to be plagued by a pervasive culture of sexual harassment and discrimination against marginalised students. The college administration must address these issues and work towards creating a more inclusive environment.”

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Amrutavarshiny, an OBC category student, had her education at the National Law University Delhi funded by IDIA (Increasing Diversity by Increasing Access), a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting students from marginalised backgrounds in obtaining legal education. Hailing from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Amrutavarshiny’s family made massive sacrifices to ensure her educational opportunities. Her mother works as a kindergarten teacher, and her father is a self-employed hardware engineer. They relocated from the rural areas of Thiruvarur to the city, seeking better educational prospects for their daughter.

The Probe spoke with Senthil Kumar, Amrutavarshiny’s father, who was in Delhi following the tragic news of his daughter’s death. Overwhelmed with grief, he handed the phone to a relative, who reported: “There was a suicide note, but we still have not received full details about the circumstances of her death. Her parents are utterly devastated by this news. During the post-mortem, the college revealed that she had attempted suicide once before and had mental health-related issues. Even the doctor who conducted the post-mortem questioned what steps the college had taken to provide her with counseling or treatment if she had mental health issues.”

Following the news of Amrutavarshiny's death, the registrar of NLU Delhi issued a communication to students outlining the steps the college is taking to support those experiencing mental distress. However, professors and students we spoke to have criticised these measures as too little, too late.

Cases of Sexual Abuse and Discrimination at NLU Delhi

In an interview with The Probe, a professor who previously taught Amrutavarshiny revealed that one of her friends had reported a sexual harassment case involving a batchmate. Amrutavarshiny was notably outspoken against such abuses. The college's Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) had investigated the matter, but it appears this was just one among numerous cases that never reached its logical end.

“I am a professor at this esteemed institution, but I must acknowledge that in the past two years, we have encountered numerous sexual harassment cases. One involved Amrutavarshiny’s friend. Although the ICC addressed the issue, no significant action followed. Amrutavarshiny was part of the group of female students who protested against both the harassment and the administration's inaction. She was a brave girl, vocal about social and women's issues,” the professor stated. 

"A list was circulated among students, categorising individuals by caste and detailing which derogatory terms could be used against each group"

Another professor described the glaring situation, stating, “In the last semester, there were numerous instances of abusive language directed at SC/ST students. A list was circulated among students, categorising individuals by caste and detailing which derogatory terms could be used against each group. The issue extends beyond sexual abuse; caste-based discrimination is also rampant at NLUD, which needs to be addressed.”

Seven Angry Women Movement and its Fallout

The Probe spoke with a friend of Amrutavarshiny, who disclosed disturbing information about a women's movement at NLU Delhi known as the Seven Angry Women and its subsequent suppression. Amrutavarshiny was an active and vocal supporter of this movement, which aimed to create a safer environment for female students. The Seven Angry Women was an anonymous collective that had previously put up numerous pink posters around the campus. The friend revealed further disturbing details:

"A disturbing list was circulated among some male students within the college, rating women based on their perceived attractiveness, which was solely judged by the male gaze and focused on physical bodily appearance."

“There was a group of women, including Amrutavarshiny, who were outspoken about sexual harassment cases at NLU Delhi and the lack of effective action taken. The Seven Angry Women movement emerged in response to various issues, such as a disturbing list that was circulated among some male students within the college, rating women based on their perceived attractiveness, which was solely judged by the male gaze and focused on physical bodily appearance. Despite numerous sexual harassment complaints, no satisfactory action was taken against the perpetrators. As the movement gained momentum, some of the vocal participants were reprimanded and targeted,” the friend said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The friend continued: “I was close to Amrutavarshiny, and she, along with many other students who spoke out against sexual harassment and the misogynistic culture at the college, faced ostracism from the elite students. Amrutavarshiny confided in me about her feelings of isolation due to her activism.” The friend also shared a WhatsApp chat with Amrutavarshiny, where she discussed these issues in a lighter note. The chat is provided below:

Glastnost NLU Delhi, an independent student newspaper operating from National Law University Delhi, previously reported on an incident related to the Seven Angry Women Movement. The post read: “There were also claims that students’ right to privacy was disproportionately violated by using CCTV cameras to find out who had put up the posters and who constituted the sevenangrywomen….In response to reports that the administration had torn down a poster, students from all over campus came together yesterday and created additional posters. These newly-made posters were put up in more places across the campus. They encapsulated the culture of victim blaming and sexual harassment that engulfs the college. Some of the posters covered other issues of caste, gender, and sexuality that require attention in college.”

The Probe spoke with another professor who commented: “When students come forward with complaints, it is essential to protect the victims or complainants. Victim-blaming or shaming should never occur. There is a significant disconnect between the faculty and the students at NLU Delhi, and caste-based discrimination persists. Students from marginalised communities face numerous challenges. The environment is not inclusive, and there is no effective platform for students to seek redress. The college must address these issues and work towards creating a more supportive and equitable atmosphere.”

Amrutavarshiny, hails from a marginalised background, achieved an impressive 92% in her 10th standard examinations at Velammal Vidyalaya, Chennai. Despite the high fees associated with studying law at National Law University Delhi, Amrutavarshiny did not abandon her dream. She continued searching for opportunities until she discovered IDIA online and contacted them. IDIA subsequently decided to sponsor her education.

When selected by IDIA for legal education funding, she revealed her aspirations to the organisation. She stated: “I always knew I’d take a career where I could directly affect social change, but I wanted a career with a wide scope because I didn’t want to get pigeonholed doing the same thing for the rest of my life. I chose law because the law is more than mere rulings and amendments. Being a good lawyer to me means that no topic is irrelevant and everything in human society is of importance and needs to be learnt. I want to do everything, and I want to do it in a way that also lifts others. Law seemed like the natural option.”

During the course of this story, The Probe has engaged with numerous students and professors at NLU Delhi. Consensus among them is that Amrutavarshiny’s tragic death is a symptom of a deeper, systemic issue at the university that demands urgent attention. Victims of sexual harassment and those who speak out against it must be protected. Strong action must be taken against caste-based slurs and discrimination. While the exact circumstances surrounding Amrutavarshiny’s death remain unclear, during the course of our story, we uncovered disturbing realities at NLU Delhi that urgently need to be addressed. The university’s top management must address these issues openly, show clear support for students, and implement robust mechanisms on campus to prevent future harassment. Additionally, it is crucial to identify and hold accountable those responsible, ensuring they are brought to justice.

We have reached out to NLUD Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. G.S. Bajpai and Registrar Prof. Dr. Ruhi Paul for their comments. This story will be updated upon receiving their responses.

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