Crime Patrol: 20-year-old Radhika Tanwar was shot dead near her south Delhi college in broad daylight (Episode 1, 29th Apr 2011)

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The Inside Story

Delhi Student Murdered on Her Way to College

A second-year degree student, Radhika Tanwar, was shot and killed on her way to Ram Lal Anand College in Dhaula Kuan, south Delhi. The victim was attacked on a foot over-bridge around 10.15 am by an unidentified person. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students in the area, which lacks adequate transportation and security measures.

Lack of Security and Transportation

College authorities and students alike have criticized the lack of security and transportation in the area. The absence of a bus service to drop students at the doorstep of the college and the prevalence of eve-teasing in the area have made the two-kilometre stretch leading to the college perilous. Ram Lal Anand (RLA) College authorities expressed shock and concern about the incident, blaming the absence of buses plying in the area for the girl's tragic death.

According to Vijay K Sharma, Principal of RLA College (Morning), there have been meetings with the DU Vice-Chancellor regarding the issue. The college had proposed to hire two new DTC buses that would run only on this stretch, starting from Hauz Khas, but Sharma expressed his ignorance about the fate of the project. Harish Dhawan, Professor of Economics atRLA College, revealed that a group of boys from Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College had been troubling girls for the past four days. Despite such incidents, transport authorities in the city have remained tight-lipped on the issue.

At approximately 10:13 am, while descending a foot over-bridge with her friend Aditya, Radhika was shot at close range by an assailant who approached from behind.

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As the victim's friend gives chase, the assailant jumps off the bridge.

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The assailant jumps over a fence by the roadside and flees.

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Radhika is lying on the ground, bleeding, and she succumbs to her injuries on the spot.

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Wake-up Call for South Campus Students

The incident has served as a wake-up call for south campus students, who have to deal with the lack of adequate public transportation. Initially, students used to make use of the DTC's outer Mudrika service to reach their colleges, but it has now been rerouted. There are only buses on route no. 611 that provide some relief, but the service is so infrequent that youngsters choose to walk rather than wait for 20 minutes. The DTC's DU Special buses do not cover this stretch, leaving students vulnerable to incidents like Radhika's murder.

Radhika's premature death has devastated her friends and family, and the college community as a whole. The incident highlights the need for greater security measures and transportation facilities in the area. The authorities must take immediate action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future and ensure the safety and well-being of students.

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