THE INDIAN Institute of Technology (IIT-K) failed to elicit any concrete information from students in connection with the suicide of Swapnil Chandrakar Dharaskar, who was 2nd year Mechanical Engineering student. He had committed suicide on November 30 last.
Following directive from the Union Ministry for Human Resource and Development (HRD), IIT-K had to submit a detailed report about the causes that led to Dharaskar’s death.
Dean of Student Affairs (DoSA) Dr Prawal Sinha had intimated students that in case they had any relevant information about the suicide, they should furnish it by January end.
However, none of the students gave any written statement to the DoSA.Consequently, Dr Sinha summoned a meeting on February 3. During the meeting, the statement of two security guards was to be obtained in the presence of all the members of the inquiry committee. However, due to the absence of two student members of the committee, student’s senate convenor Yashodanandan Shewedey and the Gymkhana president Neeraj Prasad, the meeting was postponed. Now the meeting has been fixed for February 7.
According to Dr Sinha it appeared unjustified that a final report in the sensitive matter be sent to HRD Ministry in the absence of student representatives. He said he would prefer to delay the submission of the report than sending it without getting it passed students’ representatives.
{{/usCountry}}According to Dr Sinha it appeared unjustified that a final report in the sensitive matter be sent to HRD Ministry in the absence of student representatives. He said he would prefer to delay the submission of the report than sending it without getting it passed students’ representatives.
{{/usCountry}}However, Dr Sinha said two students had given written statements highlighting the frustration of Dharaskar.
He added a detailed official report had already been submitted to the HRD Ministry on December 2 apprising them about the incident and possible causes of suicide.