IIT scholar's death: Students boycott classes

Kanpur, Aug 10: Students at IIT here boycotted classes for the third day today demanding action against a doctor and the workers of the health centre at the institute over the death of an 26-year-old research scholar, even as his family demanded a CBI probe into the case.

IIT Kanpur Director Indraneel Manna said the college authorities held two rounds of talks with the agitating students and they have sent the demands of the family to the HRD Ministry.

The students are boycotting classes over the death of research scholar Alok Pandey. The IIT administration had claimed that the scholar died due to a cardiac arrest, whereas the students of the hostel and his brother Adarsh Kumar Pandey alleged that Alok died after he was given an injection by the a doctor at the centre without conducting any tests.

Alok's brother has demanded a CBI probe into the incident and compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the family of the deceased, Manna said. Alok, a PhD scholar of Material Science at the IIT, had complained of severe chest and neck pain on Monday after which he was rushed to the institute's health centre.

As his condition deteriorated he was referred to a cardiology centre. However, he died on the way to hospital. Adarsh lodged a complaint on the basis of which an FIR was registered under section 304 A(causing death by rash or negligent act) against Dr Shailendra Kishore, the Warden In-charge, Guide Kamal Kekar and the hospital administrator, Kanpur SSP Shalabh Mathur said.

He also alleged that the scholar was mistreated and tortured in the hostel, Mathur said, adding a probe is on in this connection. Manna said a team of three specialist doctors from as many medical colleges of the city has been formed to probe the death and submit a report in two weeks.

He also said that they held talks with the students till around 1 AM and again this morning but they are sticking to their demands of action against the health centre officials.

"We are holding meetings over this and will soon decide the course of action," Manna said. Meanwhile, police personnel have been posted outside the campus.

PTI