Varanasi College Shooting: Student Killed, Father Demands Accused's Encounter
A 23-year-old student, Surya Pratap Singh, was shot dead on the Udai Pratap College campus in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, by a fellow student, Manjeet Chauhan. The incident, stemming from a personal dispute, sparked protests. The victim's father refused cremation, demanding the accused be killed in a police encounter, leading to a tense standoff.
Key Highlights
- Surya Pratap Singh, 23, shot dead at Udai Pratap College, Varanasi.
- Fellow student Manjeet Chauhan identified as the primary accused.
- Incident linked to a personal dispute or old rivalry.
- Victim's father demands 'encounter justice' for the accused.
- Protests erupted on campus following the fatal shooting.
- Accused Manjeet Chauhan has been arrested by police.
A grave incident unfolded on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Udai Pratap (UP) College in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, where a 23-year-old student, Surya Pratap Singh, was tragically shot dead on campus. The victim, identified as a fourth-semester student of either BA or BSc from Ghazipur, succumbed to multiple bullet injuries after being attacked by a fellow student, Manjeet Chauhan. The shooting reportedly occurred around 11 AM inside the college premises, near the Arts and Social Sciences Faculty building.
Initial investigations and eyewitness accounts suggest that the fatal shooting was the result of a personal dispute or an old rivalry between Surya Pratap Singh and Manjeet Chauhan. Some reports indicate that an altercation had occurred earlier in the day, escalating into the violent confrontation.
According to police and eyewitnesses, Manjeet Chauhan allegedly fired multiple rounds at Surya Pratap Singh, with reports indicating four to eight bullet wounds, primarily to the head and chest. A disturbing video of the incident reportedly surfaced, showing the accused firing shots at close range even after the victim had collapsed.
Following the attack, Surya Pratap Singh was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Maldahiya and subsequently transferred to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Trauma Centre, where doctors declared him dead during treatment.
The incident sent shockwaves across the campus, triggering widespread anger and protests among the student community. Irate students reportedly engaged in vandalism, overturning barricades, breaking chairs, and raising slogans against the college administration, demanding the resignation of the principal and some faculty members. Heavy police force was rapidly deployed to the college to manage the escalating tensions, and officials had to escort trapped teachers and non-teaching staff out of the campus. Nearby shops were also forced to close due to the unrest.
The tragedy took an emotional and dramatic turn when Rishidev Singh, the victim's father, refused to allow the cremation of his son's body. He explicitly demanded an 'encounter' (extrajudicial killing) of the accused as a form of justice for his son's murder. This demand led to a tense standoff with the police at the post-mortem house, and the body was eventually taken to the family's residence in Shivpur, with the father reiterating his demand for the accused's elimination.
Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal confirmed that the shooting stemmed from a personal enmity between the students. Police have registered a case against Manjeet Chauhan and his alleged associate, Anuj Thakur, who was reportedly present during the incident. Multiple police teams, specifically six teams, were formed to apprehend the accused. Manjeet Chauhan was initially absconding but has since been arrested. Police recovered the firearm used in the crime, a pistol, which the accused allegedly discarded in a garbage heap while fleeing the scene. Investigations are currently underway to ascertain the exact motive behind the murder, and authorities are also analyzing CCTV footage from the area to gather more evidence.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president, Ajay Rai, commented on the incident, stating that it highlights the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and emphasized that even educational institutions are no longer safe. This incident underscores broader concerns regarding campus safety and the prevalence of violence in educational settings across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Udai Pratap College in Varanasi?
On March 20, 2026, a 23-year-old student named Surya Pratap Singh was shot dead on the Udai Pratap College campus in Varanasi by a fellow student, Manjeet Chauhan, reportedly due to a personal dispute.
Who is the victim and the accused in the Varanasi college shooting?
The victim is Surya Pratap Singh, a 23-year-old student from Ghazipur. The main accused is Manjeet Chauhan, also a student at the same college.
What was the reaction of the victim's father?
Surya Pratap Singh's father, Rishidev Singh, refused to cremate his son's body and demanded that the accused, Manjeet Chauhan, be killed in a police encounter, leading to a tense standoff with authorities.
Has anyone been arrested in connection with the shooting?
Yes, the main accused, Manjeet Chauhan, was initially absconding but has since been arrested by the police. A case has also been registered against his alleged associate, Anuj Thakur.
What was the broader impact of the incident?
The shooting triggered widespread protests and vandalism on the college campus, leading to heavy police deployment and concerns raised about the deteriorating law and order situation and campus safety in Uttar Pradesh.