A special SC/ST court in Mumbai has granted bail to Arman Khatri, a student of IIT Bombay, with the observation that there is no evidence to support the allegations that Khatri harassed fellow student Darshan Solanki based on his caste. The court also noted that the mere allegations made against Khatri in Solanki’s suicide note would not be enough to conclude that he had abetted the suicide. It is important to note that this decision pertains to the bail application and is not a judgment on the case’s merit. The case is still ongoing, and further evidence and arguments will be presented before the court.
In a recent development in the case involving the suicide of IIT Bombay student Darshan Solanki, a special SC/ST court in Mumbai has granted bail to fellow student Arman Khatri. The court observed that there is no evidence on record to suggest that Khatri harassed Solanki over his caste, as alleged in the suicide note. The court also noted that the allegations against Khatri in the note alone would not be sufficient to conclude that he abetted Solanki’s suicide.
The case dates back to January 2021 when Solanki, a third-year electrical engineering student at IIT Bombay, was found hanging in his hostel room. In his suicide note, Solanki had alleged that he was being harassed and discriminated against by his fellow students, including Khatri, on the basis of his caste.
After the incident, the police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including abetment to suicide and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The police arrested Khatri and another student, but Khatri later applied for bail, which was granted by the special court.
It is important to note that this decision pertains only to the bail application and does not constitute a judgment on the case’s merit. The case is still ongoing, and further evidence and arguments will be presented before the court. The tragic incident has once again highlighted the issue of discrimination and harassment faced by students from marginalized communities, and the need to address it urgently. The case also underscores the importance of thorough investigations and evidence-based decisions in matters involving sensitive issues such as caste-based discrimination and suicide.