In a heartbreaking incident on August 19, 2025, 15-year-old Nayan Santani, a Class 10 student at Seventh-Day Adventist Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad’s Khokhra area, was stabbed by a Class 8 junior following a heated altercation just outside the school premises.
Despite being rushed to a hospital, Nayan succumbed to his injuries the same night.
His death triggered massive outrage, and on Wednesday, an angry mob composed of parents, locals, and community members—some from the Sindhi community—stormed the school, vandalising furniture and glass panels and assaulting the principal and teacher.s
Investigations Escalate
The local police responded with increased deployment, using force to disperse the violent crowd. A police vehicle was nearly overturned during the chaos. os
An FIR has been registered, the case upgraded from an attempt to murder to outright murder, and the Class 8 accused has been detained under the Juvenile Justice Act. Statements are being recorded, and CCTV footage is under scrutiny.
Disturbing Confessions and Chats
In a chilling development, Instagram chats between the accused and a friend were recovered, in which the accused confessed to the stabbing.
When asked, he responded simply: “Haan” (“Yes”), confirming he stabbed the senior. The friend questioned the motive, to which the accused callously replied: “What has happened has happened.”
Allegations of Institutional Negligence
Parents and eyewitnesses have accused the school administration of gross negligence, alleging that they failed to call an ambulance promptly and instead summoned a water tanker to wash off the blood, potentially destroying crucial crime-scene evidence. Investigations further reveal a 12-hour delay by the Khokhra police to mobilise forensic experts, raising serious questions about procedural failure.s
Furthermore, reports indicate a pre-existing conflict spanning four years between the victim and the accused—possibly including allegations of bullying—that was not adequately addressed by the school. Instead, the victim was reportedly reprimanded, escalating tension.ns
Heightened Protests and Wider Implications
The issue has sparked broader social and communal tensions, with groups such as the NSUI and VHP joining protests.
Over 500 individuals have been booked for rioting and vandalism, and several schools in the Maninagar, Khokhra, and Isanpur areas remained shut following a bandh call.
The District Education Officer has issued a notice to the school administration, demanding a full report, CCTV footage, and explanations regarding security lapsesMeanwhile, crime branch officials and senior police officers have taken over the investigation, with a focus on accountability, systemic negligence, and possible evidence tampering.
#AhmedabadTragedy #SchoolViolence #NayanSantani #StudentSafety #InstitutionalNegligence #JuvenileCrime #Accountability #JusticeForNayan #GujaratNews #EducationReform
