IIT Bombay student death: Crime Branch records statements of 20 people
Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements of 20 people in the IIT Bombay student death case, as ministers and the NCSC probe caste discrimination allegations.
The Mumbai police's Crime Branch has recorded the statements of 20 people in connection with the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode, officials said. Those questioned include students, staff members, individuals who were present in the examination hall, teachers who supervised the examination, and hostel staff.
Wakode, a second-year BTech student from the Scheduled Caste community, allegedly ended his life on campus on September 18. The institute had initially claimed that he was caught cheating during an examination.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman, Kishor Makwana, conducted an inquiry on the campus after the student's family raised allegations of caste-based discrimination.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale visited the campus on Friday and demanded an independent investigation into the death. The Dalit leader met the IIT Bombay director and senior officials.
Athawale said he would write to Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi to seek a meeting. He also demanded action against former Dean Suryanarayana Doolla, alleging that Doolla confiscated the student's mobile phone during the examination on September 18 and raised an objection against him, accusing him of copying. The Minister called for Doolla's suspension.
Athawale further pointed out that four students had died by suicide at the institute over the past two to three years, and three of them belonged to the Scheduled Caste community.
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