Student's Death Caused by Police Brutality Confirmed by Autopsy: Hard Object Assault in Bhopal Case

A homicide investigation has been initiated against two police constables following a tragic incident in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The autopsy report of Udit Kumar Gaayke, a 23-year-old final-year cybersecurity student, has confirmed his death resulted from being struck with a hard object, contradicting initial police claims of natural or accidental causes. Gaayke, whose brother-in-law serves as a deputy superintendent in anti-Maoist operations, was allegedly assaulted by two constables from Piplani police station on Friday.

According to reports, the officers demanded Rs 10,000 to 'settle the matter' and intensified the beating when payment wasn't provided. Surveillance footage now incorporated into the investigation clearly shows one constable brutally striking Gaayke with a baton while another officer, carrying a firearm, observes the assault.

The postmortem document obtained by NDTV explicitly states the "manner of death is homicidal" caused by "traumatic hemorrhagic pancreatitis as a result of blunt trauma." Medical specialists consulted explained that such trauma occurs when powerful impact from a hard object causes internal bleeding and pancreatic inflammation – a rare but fatal injury consistent with violent assault.

Forensic examination also identified "multiple antemortem tram track pattern injuries evident over the body," which experts describe as distinctive parallel-line markings characteristic of lathi (baton) strikes, confirming repeated blows before death.

Following public outrage and protests by Gaayke's family outside Piplani police station demanding justice, authorities have registered a murder case against constables Santosh Bamaniya and Saurabh Arya, who had been suspended immediately after the incident.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Vivek Singh confirmed: "A case of murder has been registered based on the short postmortem report. The accused will be arrested soon. The detailed report is awaited."

Friends Akshat and Dipesh, who were with Gaayke that evening, recounted to NDTV that they were socializing in Bhopal's Indrapuri area when police responded to noise complaints. Gaayke reportedly panicked and attempted to flee but was pursued and severely beaten.

"We could hear the sound of lathis. When he returned, his shirt was torn, and he was in pain," Akshat stated. "The cops demanded Rs 10,000 and threatened us with dire consequences if we did not agree."

The friends allege that following their refusal to pay, officers took Gaayke toward Piplani police station. Shortly thereafter, they received a call and found Gaayke unconscious.

He was initially transported to a nearby police outpost where officers, upon learning he was related to a senior police official, rushed him to a local hospital. He was subsequently transferred to AIIMS Bhopal, where medical personnel pronounced him deceased.

Gaayke was pursuing advanced studies in cybersecurity at a prominent private institution near Bhopal. His father is employed by the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board, his mother works as a teacher, and his brother-in-law serves as a deputy superintendent with the anti-Maoist Hawk Force stationed in Balaghat district.