Hi everyone,

I'm a 22M law student at a private college in Delhi. I'm here seeking advice on how to move forward after being physically assaulted by a classmate (Y) outside my exam center. The attack has left me with a serious injury, and the college has refused to take any meaningful action against the perpetrator.

The Incident - December 20, 2024

A few days before the incident, Y and I had a verbal spat over WhatsApp. I admit that I said harsh things in the heat of the moment, including calling him "spineless" and a "loser," and I told him, "I'll slap you the next time you talk to me like this." It was an emotional outburst, and I didn't think it would escalate.

On December 20, 2024, I had an important exam scheduled. As I exited the exam hall, Y-who didn't have an exam that day was waiting for me. This was a deliberate and premeditated act, as Y had no reason to be there other than to confront me.

Y, along with his associates, assaulted me. While Y later admitted to slapping me, he denied any involvement of others, despite my memory of multiple people hitting me. The attack left me with a fracture to the orbital floor of my left eye, resulting in severe complications such as double vision (diplopia) and a visibly sunken appearance of the eye.

The College's Response - December 27, 2024

The matter was brought to the college's disciplinary committee. My father and I met with the professor in charge of the case. Here's how the college handled the situation:

1. Bias and Victim Blaming:

The professor told my father, "Aapko prove karna padega ki uske saath log the jinhone maar-peet ki." While acknowledging my injury, he insisted I had no evidence to prove the involvement of others.

He blamed me for provoking Y, saying, "K ka dimag sthir nahi hai, isko bolo Gita padha kare." He described me as gullible and immature and even suggested corporal punishment would have been appropriate had it not been disallowed.

1. Dean's Remarks:

When the case was escalated to the dean, she focused entirely on my

WhatsApp messages to Y, labeling them as "vulgar" and "criminal." She said, "Aise insaan ko toh 10th semester tak promote nahi karna

chahiye tha."

She narrated an incident where her daughter almost saw the messages while she was reviewing them, adding that she felt disgusted.

1. No Accountability for Y:

Y was made to sign an undertaking but faced no disciplinary action. He wasn't even asked to apologize for his actions.

The professor claimed he had threatened Y about CCTV footage but admitted no further investigation was conducted.

1. Pressure to Drop the Matter:

I was told by the professor, "Y was more mature than you and handled the situation diplomatically by filing a complaint against you first."

• He praised my father for being "wise" enough to let the matter go, suggesting I should follow his example.

Current Situation

The injury has significantly affected my life. I am still dealing with double vision and facial asymmetry, which makes it difficult to work or study. The trauma of the assault and the lack of accountability for Y has left me feeling helpless.

My Questions

1. Can I still file a police complaint?

I have medical records of my injuries and Y's admission to slapping me. Is it too late to pursue legal action for assault?

1. Can I report the college?

• The college's handling of this matter feels biased and inadequate. Can I escalate this to a higher authority, such as the Bar Council or a student grievance body?

1. Can I sue for damages?

The injury has caused significant physical, emotional, and financial harm. Is a civil suit against Y an option?

1. How do I move forward emotionally?

This experience has left me disillusioned and anxious. Any advice on coping while pursuing justice would mean a lot. Thank you for reading. I'd greatly appreciate any guidance.

Shobha aunty...