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JNU student loses sight in right eye after cleaver attack, fellow student arrested

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The Indian Express

November 10, 2026
JNU student loses sight in right eye after cleaver attack, fellow student arrested

A JNU student named Saurabh suffered severe injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye, after being attacked with a meat cleaver by a fellow student. The accused, Ajay, was arrested on charges of attempted murder following the dispute over a shared friendship with a female student.

Violent Altercation at JNU Hostel Leaves Student Critically Injured

A disturbing incident of campus violence has shaken Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after a second-year language student, identified as Saurabh, was subjected to a brutal assault. On November 5, inside room 119 of the Barak Hostel, an argument over personal interpersonal dynamics escalated into a life-altering attack. The assailant, identified as an MA student named Ajay, reportedly utilized a meat cleaver to inflict severe trauma upon the victim.

The Nature of the Assault

According to official police reports and medical assessments, the attack was exceptionally violent. Saurabh sustained multiple fractures and severe lacerations across his head, nose, face, and shoulders. Most tragically, the injuries to his right eye have resulted in a permanent loss of vision. The sheer brutality of the weapon used—a meat cleaver—indicates a level of aggression that has shocked the university community and prompted immediate intervention by law enforcement.

Origins of the Conflict

Preliminary investigations suggest the motive behind the assault was rooted in a personal dispute. Ajay allegedly harbored significant objections regarding Saurabh’s friendship with a female student. While the university administration provided a statement suggesting that the victim and the woman had entered the accused's room prior to the altercation, the situation rapidly deteriorated into a physical confrontation. The presence of a weapon suggests premeditation or an immediate escalation that turned a verbal disagreement into a criminal act.

Broader Impact and Collateral Harm

The violence did not remain isolated to the primary victim. Reports indicate that three other students also sustained injuries during the altercation, bringing the total number of individuals harmed to four. This expansion of the conflict underscores the volatile nature of the incident, which occurred in broad daylight at approximately 3 pm within a campus residential facility intended for student housing and academic life.

Legal Consequences and Institutional Response

Following the incident, the Delhi Police acted swiftly, registering a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, including the charge of attempted murder. The accused, Ajay, has been taken into custody. As the legal process moves forward, the university faces the difficult task of addressing the safety protocols within its hostel system. This event serves as a stark reminder of the complexities inherent in managing interpersonal conflicts within high-density residential campus environments.

Conclusion

This tragic event highlights the intersection of personal grievance and criminal violence within academic spaces. As Saurabh recovers from his permanent injuries, the university community and law enforcement are left to grapple with the circumstances that allowed such a violent act to occur. Future discourse will likely focus on enhancing student welfare, conflict resolution mechanisms, and the stringent regulation of prohibited items within campus hostels to prevent a recurrence of such a devastating event.

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