Guwahati: The arrest of Assamese actress Nandinee Kashyap followed after days of public anger and demands for accountability as Samiul died of his injuries on Tuesday evening at Apollo Hospitals in Guwahati.
Police Add Non-Bailable Charge After 21-Year-Old Succumbs to Injuries
Kashyap was apprehended by Guwahati Police near Mandakata on Tuesday evening as she was returning from a theatre performance. She was officially taken into custody on Wednesday. Initially booked under bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 115(2), 125(b), and 281, a non-bailable charge under Section 105 was later added after the victim’s death.
The tragic incident occurred late on 25 July in the Dakshingaon area of Kahilipara, where Samiul had been working on a streetlight installation project. He was allegedly struck by a vehicle registered to Kashyap, sustaining severe brain injuries and multiple fractures. He was first admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and later transferred to Apollo as his condition deteriorated.
Outrage Grows in Guwahati as Victim’s Family Allege Negligence and Political Arrogance
The case has sparked outrage across Guwahati, with demonstrators gathering outside Apollo Hospital demanding justice. Family members claim that Kashyap fled the scene without offering help and did not attempt to contact them meaningfully in the following days.
“She didn’t stop, didn’t help, and later told us over WhatsApp that she wouldn't do anything because she had political backing,” a relative alleged. The family also noted that Kashyap’s father visited briefly after Samiul was moved to Apollo but offered no substantial support.
In response to mounting criticism, Kashyap’s mother released a statement expressing sorrow and stating that the family had tried to assist.
The investigation continues as pressure mounts on local authorities to ensure accountability in the high-profile case.