Ranchi: Students of St Xavier’s College are still in shock over the sudden and untimely death of Ashutosh Roy, professor of English at St Xavier’s College, who was tipped to lead the department, who died in a hit-and-run near his home last week (15 June)

A bus is said to have hit 58-year-old  Roy’s scooter from behind and then ran him over around 10am near Mecon roundabout in Doranda, 1.5km from his residence in Anantpur area near theMain Road overbridge.

The college is on the summer holiday break.

“A bystander recorded the mishap on his phone. The bus (registration number JH-01BK 4867) belongs to some school. It was overtaking from the left. Police must look for surveillance camera footage,” a local newspaper quoted a  neighbour.

Doranda thana OC Abid Hussain said they had lodged a case and begun investigations. “The complaint filed by a relative says a bus belonging to Delhi Public School hit the professor. Some bystander too showed a traffic constable the picture of a bus, claiming it was the one that was involved in the accident. We are probing the matter,” he said.

Thomas Dungdung, a lecturer in the English department, said the Roy was a much-loved man at St Xavier’s. “He was a gem of a person. He was a man who commanded equal respect from his students and colleagues. He was disciplined, yet soft-spoken. I rarely saw him lose his patience or composure in class or outside,” Dungdung said.

Roy’s wife, Sunita, is  a professor in  the commerce department of St Xavier’s . She and her daughterwere holidaying in Bangalore when the tragedy struck.

Roy’s generosity is well known. “He  helped a girl who was a domestic help improve her life. He  sponsored her BEd studies and helped her get a job, but also bore the expenses for her marriage.

Jaishree Jha, who also teaches  at St Xavier’s, said Roy would be sorely missed. “We are still in shock. We can’t believe he is no more. For every student he taught, he was more of a father figure. He was a man of great learning and a compassionate human being,” she said.

Sebastin Hembrom, a PG student who is in Calcutta now, said no one ever missed Roy’s classes. “His classes were always lively, with dollops of humour and positive brainstorming. He connected with all his students. I am in shock,” Hembrom said.

  education, Jesuit education