Ujjain student stabbed 14 times: Police inaction on prior complaint under scrutiny
Synopsis
A 19-year-old Ujjain student was stabbed 14 times by a man she had already complained about to police — 12 days before the attack. Officers reportedly chose informal compromise over an FIR, leaving her exposed. The case is now a flashpoint for how police handle gender-based harassment complaints across Madhya Pradesh.
Key Takeaways
Pooja alias Gungun , a 19-year-old first-year B.A. student from Bapu Nagar, Ujjain , was stabbed 14 times on 27 June near Madhav Club in Dawa Bazar .
The accused, Sunil Jaroliya, 21 , was arrested within three hours of the attack; he sustained a fractured leg while fleeing.
The victim had filed a molestation complaint against Jaroliya on 15 June — 12 days before the stabbing — but police allegedly brokered a compromise instead of registering an FIR.
Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma confirmed a departmental inquiry is under way into the officers who handled the original complaint.
The victim remains in critical condition at Patidar Hospital, Ujjain .
Jaroliya reportedly told police he befriended the victim on Instagram about four years ago and grew agitated after she stopped taking his calls.
A 19-year-old college student, identified as Pooja alias Gungun, was allegedly stabbed 14 times in broad daylight near Madhav Club in Dawa Bazar, Ujjain, on Friday, 27 June by a 21-year-old acquaintance, raising serious questions about police failure to act on a molestation complaint she had filed 12 days earlier. The victim, a first-year B.A. student and resident of Bapu Nagar, remains in critical condition at Patidar Hospital in Madhya Pradesh.
What Happened on 27 June
The victim was on her way to work as a computer operator at a pharmacy when the accused, Sunil Jaroliya, intercepted her near Madhav Club. According to police, the two exchanged a few words before Jaroliya pulled out a knife and launched a sustained assault. CCTV footage shows the attack lasted under a minute, during which she was stabbed 14 times, sustaining serious injuries to her abdomen, neck, and hands.
Panic swept through the busy market area. Bystanders rushed to her aid and transported her to the district hospital; she was subsequently referred to Patidar Hospital, where her condition is described as critical.
The Prior Complaint Police Failed to Act On
The case has taken on a wider significance because the victim had reportedly approached local police on 15 June — 12 days before the stabbing — with a molestation complaint against Jaroliya. Instead of registering a First Information Report (FIR), police allegedly brokered a compromise between the two parties and sent them on their way.
The survivor disclosed this sequence of events to senior officers following Friday's attack, triggering a departmental inquiry into the conduct of the personnel who handled the original complaint. Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma confirmed that the role of those officers is under examination and that action will be taken if negligence is established.
Profile of the Accused and the Alleged Motive
During initial questioning, Jaroliya told investigators he had befriended the victim on Instagram roughly four years ago. He claimed he became increasingly agitated after she stopped responding to his calls over the preceding 10 days. SP Sharma said the accused had been persistently harassing the woman after she cut contact with him.
Police said the victim's family — particularly her mother — had been opposed to any association between the two. Jaroliya was arrested within three hours of the attack. While attempting to flee, he fell from a wall and fractured his leg; he is currently receiving medical treatment and is expected to be produced before a court following interrogation.
Accountability and What Comes Next
The incident has reignited a familiar and troubling pattern: a woman files a harassment complaint, police opt for informal resolution over legal process, and the complainant is left unprotected. Critics argue that the practice of brokering 'compromises' in gender-based harassment cases — rather than registering FIRs — is both legally untenable and demonstrably dangerous.
Senior police officials have stated that a departmental probe is under way. Whether criminal liability attaches to the officers who handled the 15 June complaint remains to be seen. The victim's condition continues to be monitored at Patidar Hospital, and the case is expected to come before a Ujjain court once Jaroliya's medical condition permits.
Point of View
They do not resolve conflict; they suppress the legal record and remove the complainant's protection. The accused in this case walked free for 12 days after a documented complaint, armed with the implicit signal that the system would not act. Madhya Pradesh authorities must answer not just whether these specific officers were negligent, but why the practice of compromise-brokering in gender-based cases persists at all. Departmental inquiries that end in transfers, rather than prosecutions, will not change the calculus.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Ujjain student stabbing case on 27 June?
A 19-year-old college student named Pooja alias Gungun was allegedly stabbed 14 times by 21-year-old Sunil Jaroliya near Madhav Club in Dawa Bazar, Ujjain, on 27 June. She sustained serious injuries to her abdomen, neck, and hands and remains in critical condition at Patidar Hospital.
Why are Ujjain police facing scrutiny over this case?
The victim had filed a molestation complaint against the accused on 15 June — 12 days before the stabbing. Instead of registering an FIR, local police reportedly arranged an informal compromise between the two, leaving her without legal protection. A departmental inquiry has been ordered into the officers involved.
Has the accused been arrested?
Yes. Sunil Jaroliya was arrested within three hours of the attack on 27 June. He fractured his leg while trying to escape and is currently receiving medical treatment before being produced before a court.
What did the accused tell police about his motive?
Jaroliya reportedly told investigators he had befriended the victim on Instagram about four years ago and became increasingly agitated after she stopped responding to his calls over the preceding 10 days. Ujjain SP Pradeep Sharma said the accused had been persistently harassing her after she cut contact.
What action is being taken against the police officers who handled the earlier complaint?
Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma confirmed that the role of the personnel who handled the 15 June molestation complaint is under departmental examination. He said action will be taken if negligence is established.
