After two years of legal battle, the family of Faizan Ahmed continues to seek justice amidst troubling revelations surrounding his untimely death at IIT Kharagpur. Faizan, an accomplished student who ranked 11th in his IIT entrance, had dreams of following in the footsteps of Sundar Pichai, an alumnus of Kharagpur. Little did his family know that this prestigious institution would become the center of a tragic mystery.
Faizan Ahmed was found dead in his hostel room on October 14, 2022. Initially declared a suicide by IIT Kharagpur authorities, the case took a drastic turn when a second autopsy, ordered by the Calcutta High Court, revealed gunshot wounds on his neck—indicating foul play.
"The IIT authorities didn't inform us about his death," Faizan's mother recounted. "The students broke the news to us. When we called the institute and I identified myself as Faizan's mother, they abruptly hung up and never responded again."
Amidst legal battles and bureaucratic hurdles, Faizan's parents persisted. "The main problems we faced were with the police officials," his mother continued. "They claimed to have destroyed photos taken during the recovery of Faizan's body and dismissed the presence of excessive blood, attributing it to post-mortem conditions."
Initially hesitant to pursue a case, the police were compelled by Faizan's parents to investigate further. "When we returned to IIT Kharagpur, we received threatening calls warning us not to come," Faizan's mother recalled. "We had to email our complaint to the police to get them to register our case."
In a significant development, the police officer accused of deleting critical evidence was suspended following court intervention. However, both the IIT authorities and police opposed a second autopsy, underscoring the family's ongoing struggle for transparency and justice.
Faizan's parents' suspicions were cemented when discrepancies emerged in the authorities' statements. "Initially, they said Faizan died from pills, then changed it to a heart attack," Faizan's mother stated. "It simply didn't add up—if he had a heart attack, why would he turn off his phone?"
Hope renewed from the latest autopsy report, Faizan's parents are resolute in their pursuit of justice through the courts. "After Faizan's death, there were 130 more reported deaths at IIT," Faizan's mother emphasized. "I urge the Prime Minister, Education Minister, and President of India to take decisive action to prevent further tragedies and safeguard our children."
As the legal battle continues, Faizan Ahmed's case stands as a stark reminder of the challenges and injustices faced in the quest for truth and accountability, especially in institutions meant to nurture the brightest minds of the nation. The outcome of this case will not only determine justice for Faizan but also set a precedent for ensuring the safety and integrity of educational environments across India.