Panel questions Vemula being Dalit, ‘exonerates’ V-C in suicide case

An investigation committee that looked into the suicide of University of Hyderabad scholar Rohith Vemula has concluded that the administration and its vice-chancellor P Appa Rao cannot be held responsible for his death, according to sources in the HRD ministry.

“The report has exonerated the authorities and the vice-chancellor,” the source said.

Vemula’s death in January led to awave of protestsagainst the NDA government and then HRD minister Smriti Irani. Agitating students said Vemula had been pushed to suicide by a suspension ordered by the V-C upon a prodding from Union minister Bandaru Dattatreya.

The probe by former Allahabad HC judge Ashok Kumar Roopanwal has also reportedly raised questions about Vemula being a Dalit, sources said. The HRD ministry did not confirm that the report has been submitted and refused to comment on the issue.

Roopanwal’s report was expected on August 1 but it was ostensibly delayed over fears that it may have derail the Parliament session.

Read| Time to end controversy: Govt report says Rohith Vemula was a Dalit

Read| Rohith Vemula: An unfinished portrait

First Published: Aug 23, 2016 23:59 IST