Victim of hit-and-run case Samiul Haque dies

Samiul Haque, a 21-year-old junior engineering student in his final year and a newly-appointed temporary worker at the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), tragically passed away after sustaining severe injuries in a hit-and-run incident. The case has drawn widespread public attention due to the involvement of Assamese actress Nandini Kashyap, who is allegedly the driver of the vehicle that struck him.

The unfortunate accident took place on the night of July 25, which was coincidentally Samiul’s first day of joining GMC. He was performing his duties as part of a streetlight maintenance team in Guwahati’s Dakhingaon area when a speeding vehicle hit him. Eyewitnesses at the scene stated that the vehicle did not stop after the collision, which further intensified public anger.

Samiul was immediately rushed to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in critical condition. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to a private hospital for more advanced treatment. Despite being kept on life support, he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, leaving his family, friends, and well-wishers in grief.

The incident sparked massive outrage across Assam, particularly among student bodies and youth organizations. The All Assam Polytechnic Students' Union (AAPSU) took a leading role in demanding justice, filing an FIR and organizing protests across the state. They accused the authorities of delaying justice and pressed for a thorough investigation.

In response to public pressure and days of interrogation, Nandini Kashyap was arrested by Panbazar Women Police in the early hours of Wednesday at 1:30 am. She was initially detained in North Guwahati on Tuesday night and brought to Dispur Police Station for preliminary questioning. Later, she was shifted to the All Women Police Station in Panbazar, where her arrest was formally recorded. Authorities have added Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to the charges against her.

Police have confirmed the seizure of the car involved in the incident, which bears the registration number AS 01FM 9199. They are currently reviewing CCTV footage, analyzing forensic evidence, and collecting eyewitness statements to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine liability. Further legal provisions may be added based on the forensic and post-mortem reports.

Meanwhile, Nandini Kashyap’s family has publicly expressed regret over the incident. Her mother claimed that the family tried to support Samiul’s treatment from the very beginning. She also alleged that Nandini’s father attempted to visit the hospital with financial help but was threatened by some local youths. The family further stated that the police had advised them to stay away from public view for safety reasons. Addressing rumors of earlier traffic violations in Nandini’s name, her mother clarified that the infractions were actually committed by their driver, not the actress.

Samiul’s death has fueled continued calls for justice from his grieving family and the larger community. His body was sent to GMCH for post-mortem, and the findings are expected to play a key role in the legal proceedings. The case continues to unfold amid rising public scrutiny and emotional appeals for accountability.