IIT-B suicide probe panel gets 1-week extension, parents to begin hunger strike on Sept 28 | Mumbai News

Mumbai: The 10-member committee probing the circumstances surrounding the death of IIT-B student Sahil Wakode has sought a week’s extension from the institute’s board of governors. Sources said the request had been granted and the panel had submitted a detailed plan to the institute’s authorities. “We cannot complete the entire investigation in a week. For a fair and detailed investigation, we need one more week. And the IIT community is cooperating with us,” said a source.The extension came as Wakode’s parents prepared to begin a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Monday, vowing to continue their protest until those responsible for their son’s death are punished. “I do not care even if I get arrested. My son should get justice constitutionally. This is the state of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar. I will start my sit-in protest at Azad Maidan. I will continue my fight for justice,” said his father, Ravindra.Wakode’s parents have alleged that he faced caste discrimination at the institute. They had staged a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Thursday. Mumbai police’s crime branch is investigating the case of alleged abetment to suicide.The institute’s board of governors had constituted the inquiry committee last week. Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, named in the FIR alleging caste discrimination and abetment to suicide, has been sent on leave to facilitate an impartial probe.The committee’s composition, however, has drawn objections from students. At a candlelight march on Friday night, IIT-B students demanded that the panel be reconstituted, alleging that some of its members had expressed support for Doolla.