New Delhi, Sep 24 The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Chairman Kishor Makwana conducted a detailed spot inquiry at IIT Bombay in connection with the death of Sahil Wakode, a student pursuing his second year of B Tech in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
Wakode (22), a Schedule Caste student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18 evening, hours after being caught allegedly using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
In a statement on Thursday, the NCSC said the visit was undertaken against the backdrop of allegations raised by the family of the deceased regarding caste-based discrimination, harassment and the circumstances preceding the student’s death.
The matter is presently under investigation by the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
During the visit, Makwana held an extensive inquiry with senior authorities of IIT Bombay, including the director, deputy director, registrar, concerned faculty members and other officials, the statement said.
The commission sought a detailed account of the sequence of events preceding the student’s death, particularly the incident during the mid-semester examination on September 18, when the student was alleged to have been involved in academic malpractice.
The commission said it examined the circumstances in which the student was questioned during the examination, the procedure followed thereafter, the role of the concerned faculty and Institute authorities, and the institutional mechanisms available for addressing grievances and protecting the welfare of students belonging to Scheduled Castes.
Makwana emphasised that all relevant records, CCTV footage, electronic evidence, official communications and other material relating to the incident should be preserved and made available to the investigating authorities so that the circumstances leading to the student’s death can be established objectively.
As part of the spot inquiry, Makwana visited the Department of Energy Science and Engineering and inspected the classroom/examination hall where the alleged incident of academic malpractice occurred.
He sought information on the circumstances in which the student was questioned and subsequently left the examination venue, the statement said.
The commission also visited the hostel and the room occupied by the deceased student and interacted with his classmates and fellow students to understand his academic and campus experience and ascertain the circumstances and events preceding his death.
Following the inquiry at IIT Bombay, Makwana held a high-level meeting with senior police authorities, including the director general of police, commissioner of police and senior officers associated with the investigation, including the Crime Branch investigation team.
The commission reviewed the progress of the investigation and sought details regarding the FIR, collection and preservation of evidence, CCTV footage, examination of witnesses and other aspects of the ongoing investigation.
Makwana directed the investigating authorities to conduct a “fair, impartial, comprehensive and expeditious investigation”, examining every relevant allegation and circumstance without prejudice.
Police authorities were also asked to ensure that all available documentary, electronic, forensic and testimonial evidence is properly collected and examined and that statements of students, faculty members, Institute officials and other relevant persons are recorded wherever necessary.
Makwana instructed the authorities to submit a detailed Action Taken/Investigation Report to the NCSC at the earliest for further examination by the commission.
The NCSC chairman subsequently met the parents and other family members of the deceased student and heard their grievances and concerns in detail. The family placed before the commission its allegations regarding the circumstances preceding the death and submitted a written complaint seeking appropriate intervention and justice.
The commission said it will closely monitor the progress of the investigation and, while ensuring the protection of the constitutional and statutory rights and safeguards available to members of the Scheduled Castes, will also discharge its responsibility towards maintaining an atmosphere of social harmony and cohesion in the country.
Makwana was accompanied by Dr Sunil Kumar Babu, Director, NCSC State Office, Maharashtra, and Dr R Stalin, Deputy Director, Atrocities and Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) Wing, NCSC Headquarters, New Delhi, and the NCSC state office staff.
(PTI News)
