Mumbai: The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) chairman Kishor Makwana and his team visited IIT-B on Thursday and sought a comprehensive account from the officials of the sequence of events preceding Sahil Wakode’s death.“The Commission examined the circumstances in which the student was questioned during the examination, the procedure reportedly followed thereafter, the role of the concerned faculty and Institute authorities, and the institutional mechanisms available for addressing student grievances and safeguarding the welfare and rights of students belonging to Scheduled Castes,” a press release issued by the PIB said.The chairman also inspected the classroom/examination hall where the reported examination incident took place and sought information regarding the sequence of events during and immediately after the examination. The commission also asked the institute to ensure proper collection, preservation and examination of all documentary, electronic, forensic and testimonial evidence. It emphasized the need for recording the statements of students, faculty members, institute officials and others who may possess relevant information.The commission members held a meeting with senior police officials and the probe team and reviewed the status and progress of the investigation and sought details regarding the FIR, collection and preservation of evidence, CCTV footage, examination of witnesses and other relevant aspects of the case.The commission reiterated that the constitutional and statutory safeguards available to members of the Scheduled Castes must be effectively protected and that institutions must maintain appropriate mechanisms for ensuring dignity, equality, non-discrimination, student welfare and effective grievance redressal.
