NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday took action by issuing a notice to the police in response to a petition requesting a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the deaths of two students from IIT-Delhi.
Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar presided over the case, ordering Delhi police to provide a status report.
These incidents occurred in July and September of 2023.
The case is scheduled for a hearing on October 19.
The petition has been filed by the family members of the deceased students.
The petitioner's counsel, Mehmood Pracha, argued that the deceased students belonged to the SC community and that no FIR had been registered. There were allegations of caste discrimination made by other students and teachers.
The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) represented the Central Government and stated that no complaints had been received over the years.
ASG argued that a total of 18 students from SC/ST backgrounds had been examined, and they claimed not to have faced any discrimination.
Justice Bhatnagar inquired about the academic performance of the students.
The petitioner's counsel reported that they were performing well, while ASG countered that these students were not academically strong.
This petition has been filed by Amit Kumar, Vidya Devi, and Sushma, represented by advocates Mehmood Pracha and Jatin Bhatt.
The petition stated that the sons of the petitioners, Vidya Devi and Sushma, died on the premises of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. Vidya Devi's son passed away on the night of September 1, while Sushma's son died on July 8 of the same year. Both students belonged to Scheduled Caste communities and allegedly suffered from atrocities and discrimination.
The petitioners have named several respondents, including the Central Government, Delhi Police, DCP, SHO, IIT Delhi, CBI, and the Delhi government.
It is alleged that the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Anil Kumar and Ayush Ashna suggest that they were murdered. However, despite the petitioners' repeated complaints, no action has been taken by the authorities.
The petitioners have requested that the police authorities or the CBI register appropriate FIRs in the cases related to the students' deaths.
Additionally, the petition seeks an independent inquiry into the atrocities allegedly committed on the premises of IIT Delhi. It also calls for the strict enforcement of the provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the rules and regulations under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules 1995.
(With agency inputs)
