No student should have to wonder whether serious violence on campus can be answered with a fine. I am calling on GD Goenka University, the University Grants Commission, and state authorities to ensure that student safety and accountability come before any attempt to minimize an alleged assault.

On 6 October 2026, Devank Verma, a BCA – Cyber Security student in the School of Engineering & Sciences, was allegedly assaulted inside the GD Goenka University campus in Sohna, Haryana. The reported injuries were severe: a nasal bone fracture requiring surgery, deep lacerations around the eyes requiring stitches, and emergency and specialized treatment at Akropolis Hospital and Medanta - The Medicity, Gurgaon. The caption states that medical records, surgery records, hospital bills, and official Medico-Legal Cases document the treatment.

The concern is not only what happened to one student, but what happens next. A police FIR reportedly involves non-bailable offences against six accused students. Yet reports say the university administration may be seeking to close or dilute the matter through a monetary fine while those accused continue attending classes. A fine cannot by itself resolve concerns about safety, accountability, or the seriousness of alleged physical violence on campus.

We ask the university to immediately suspend the accused students while an independent, unbiased inquiry is completed; to take transparent disciplinary action in line with university statutes and applicable campus-safety and anti-ragging regulations; and to reject any monetary settlement as a substitute for a fair investigation and meaningful accountability. The UGC and state authorities should ensure that this process is conducted transparently and that students are protected throughout it.

Students deserve a campus where violence is taken seriously and where no one is left feeling unsafe while seeking justice. Please sign to demand a transparent inquiry, real campus-safety protections, and accountability at GD Goenka University.