Dehradun Shocker: DPharma Student Sentenced to Life for Murdering Classmate at College Gate

Tomar, a resident of Shamli in Uttar Pradesh, had allegedly been persistently harassing Vanshika, who was then 20 years old and a resident of Haridwar. According to the prosecution, Vanshika had complained about Tomar’s behaviour to his mother and had also informed her college friends. The prosecution said the murder stemmed from Tomar’s one-sided obsession with Vanshika. He was allegedly stalking her, leaving her fearful and distressed.

The prosecution further stated that Vanshika’s friends had confronted Tomar over his behaviour and made him touch Vanshika’s feet and apologise. The prosecution alleged that Tomar later sought revenge because of the humiliation he had experienced during the confrontation.

On the day of the incident, Vanshika left the college hostel with her roommate to purchase daily essentials. According to the prosecution, Tomar followed her as he wanted revenge for his alleged humiliation. Sensing a threat to her life, Vanshika called another classmate to the location shortly before the incident. However, before help could reach her, Tomar allegedly shot her at close range at the college gate and fled.

The classmate told the court that he was getting petrol for his motorcycle when he received Vanshika’s call. He testified that she was screaming in fear and pleading with him over the phone to save her from Tomar. When he reached the college gate, he saw Vanshika being taken to hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Following the incident, Vanshika’s father, Rakesh Bansal, lodged an FIR. The police subsequently filed a charge sheet on July 27, 2022, in the case.

During the trial, Additional District Government Counsel Ashutosh Sharma examined 20 witnesses. The prosecution also placed CCTV footage, scientific forensic laboratory reports and ballistic evidence before the court.

The prosecution's ballistic evidence established that the fatal shot was fired from a country-made pistol recovered from Tomar’s possession. This evidence, along with the witness testimonies and other material produced during the proceedings, was relied upon by the prosecution.

After examining the evidence and witness testimonies, Additional District Judge-V convicted Tomar for the murder of Vanshika. The court subsequently sentenced him to life imprisonment and imposed a ₹30,000 fine.

The Times of India reports that the Dehradun court convicted Tomar after considering the prosecution's evidence, including the statements of 20 witnesses, CCTV footage, scientific forensic laboratory reports and ballistic evidence. The report also detailed the prosecution's allegations regarding Tomar's harassment and stalking of Vanshika, the confrontation by her friends and the events leading to the fatal shooting.

The case relates to the March 3, 2022 killing of first-year DPharma student Vanshika Bansal at the gate of Siddharth Pharmacy College near IT Park. The prosecution's case centred on Tomar's alleged persistent harassment and stalking of Vanshika, the confrontation by her friends, his alleged desire for revenge following the confrontation, the shooting and the subsequent evidence presented before the court.