Rajasthan Police (representational image)
Kota, Rajasthan: On May 2, 18-year-old Shivam Pandey was allegedly assaulted by a mob while his 21-year-old female friend was sexually assaulted by a mob of 10-15 people in Sadbhavna Park near Dadabari police station in Rajasthan’s Kota.
The NEET-aspirant had gone to print his and his friend’s admit card in the morning when an elderly person shouted at them. When Shivam told him that he was visiting his sister, the man allegedly hurled abuse at him soon after people started gathering. They grabbed his collar and started beating him up with sticks, while some of them grabbed his sister and sexually assaulted her, claimed Shivam.
When the mob let go of them, the two returned to their respective hostels, scared and traumatised.
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A student of the Kota’s Allen Institute, Shivam contacted the Student Care Cell and informed them about the incident on May 3. However, no reply came.
When Timeline contacted the Student Care Cell, they stated that they were an NGO and had no knowledge about the incident or Shivam. When pressed further, they refused to address the issue and claimed they couldn’t answer any of our questions.
Bruises on Shivam’s legs following the alleged assault by the mob.
Shivam later submitted a written complaint to Dadabari police station. When he was called back for a medical examination, he alleged that officers questioned his presence in the area and told him he and his sister “deserved” what happened.
Bruises on Shivam’s legs following the alleged assault by the mob.
When Shivam identified three individuals allegedly involved in the mob attack, he informed the police that one of them had recorded a video of the entire incident, including the assault. According to the student, the police later told him that the accused had been detained for seven hours before being released. When he inquired about the video evidence, Shivam claimed the police said they had asked for it to be deleted.
“They didn’t care about how she was sexually assaulted. The attackers only wanted to assault her. She was beaten up, dragged, and molested. She has been crying nonstop. I was scared they might do something worse,” he said, almost in tears.
Nearly three weeks later, no FIR has been filed, according to Shivam. He said he was unable to follow up immediately as he had to travel to Jaipur for his NEET exam on May 4. The 18-year-old doesn’t know anyone in the city who’d be willing to accompany him to a police station either.
Scared and hopeless, Shivam turned to social media. After a Reddit post went viral, he also posted on X tagging authorities. A few regional newspapers picked up the story, but no action followed.
Hello Everyone
So, This is a message to the people of India.
A horrifying incident has come to light — Where a male student studying in Allen Kota was brutally beaten by a mob with sticks while he watched helplessly as his sworn sister was physically and sexually harassed.— SHIVAM PANDEY (@shivampandeyrj) May 20, 2025
When Timeline contacted Kota DSP Vishal Awasthi about why no FIR had been filed at the Dadabari police station even after three weeks, he said it was not within his purview to direct the officers to act. Instead, he stated that it was the 18-year-old’s responsibility to visit the police station and file an FIR himself.
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Awasthi added that he could only intervene if the boy was physically present at the station and reached out to him for help. In that case, he said, he would ensure that the FIR was registered if officers refused—but maintained that he was unaware of the current status of the case.
Shivam also shared a WhatsApp chat in which he sent photos of bruises on his legs to Kota City SP Dr. Amrita Duhan on May 3. He claims he has yet to receive any response from her.
Since he is all alone, Shivam is terrified. Even if an FIR is eventually filed, he fears how he will fight the case on his own—and whether the accused might come after him again.
