Authorities have recorded statements from 40 individuals, including Wakode’s parents (L) and fellow students
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Crime Branch probing the alleged suicide of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay student Sahil Wakode on September 18 has so far recorded the statements of 40 people, including his parents and fellow students, a police official said on Wednesday. The IIT Bombay board had earlier constituted a 10-member committee to inquire into the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
In his statement to the police, Wakode’s father alleged that during their last meeting, his son told him that Professor Doolla had been subjecting him to casteist abuse over the past three months at the instance of IIT Bombay director Shirish Kedare. Police said they were yet to record Doolla’s statement as they continued to scrutinise all circumstances, statements and technical evidence surrounding the incident. Police expect crucial evidence to emerge once the digital contents are retrieved, which could help establish the exact sequence of events leading up to the death of the second-year BTech student. His parents, who have been on hunger strike for the last three days, have alleged caste discrimination against their son at the premier institute.
The Powai police had earlier registered an FIR against professor Doolla based on a complaint filed by Wakode’s father.