College Student Critically Injured After Being Stabbed Multiple Times for Rejecting Marriage Proposal 

Madhya Pradesh: A 19 year old college student was critically injured after she was allegedly stabbed 14 times by a 21 year old man in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. According to the police, the accused intercepted the student while she was on her way to work, spoke to her briefly, and then launched a violent knife attack that lasted less than a minute. The victim sustained grievous injuries to her abdomen, neck, and hands and was initially taken to a district hospital before being shifted to a private hospital, where she remains in critical condition.  

The police stated that the accused allegedly wished to marry the victim, but she had rejected his advances and had stopped communicating with him. He was arrested within a few hours of the incident after allegedly attempting to flee, during which he fractured his leg. The investigation is continuing, and the authorities are examining CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the complete sequence of events.  

Legal Significance 

Based on the reported facts, the alleged act may attract Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) (Attempt to Murder), as the repeated stabbing with a deadly weapon indicates an intention or knowledge that could have caused death. The use of a knife and the nature of the injuries are relevant factors in determining criminal liability. Depending on the evidence, Section 126(2) BNS (Wrongful Restraint), if the victim was unlawfully prevented from proceeding, and Section 351 BNS (Criminal Intimidation), if threats were issued before or during the incident, may also be invoked. If it is established that the accused had been persistently harassing or stalking the victim before the attack, Section 78 BNS (Stalking) may also become applicable.  

The incident highlights the serious legal consequences of gender-based violence arising from rejection of unwanted advances. The criminal justice system is required to ensure a prompt and impartial investigation, preserving CCTV footage, recovering the weapon used, recording witness statements, and obtaining medical and forensic evidence. If the prosecution establishes the charges beyond reasonable doubt, the accused would be liable to punishment under the applicable provisions of the BNS, reflecting the law’s objective of protecting women from violent crimes motivated by obsession or coercion. 

Action to be Taken 

The investigating agency should complete a scientific investigation by securing CCTV recordings, recovering the weapon allegedly used in the attack, collecting forensic and medical evidence, recording the victim’s statement as soon as her medical condition permits, and examining witnesses. If sufficient evidence is available, the accused should be prosecuted under the appropriate provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and the proceedings should be conducted expeditiously in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS). 

The victim should be provided with immediate medical treatment, psychological counselling, victim compensation, and protection from any further intimidation. Educational institutions and law enforcement agencies should also strengthen mechanisms for responding to complaints of stalking, harassment, and threats at an early stage, as timely intervention can help prevent such incidents from escalating into life-threatening acts. 

📰 Source: NDTV (English)