IIT Bombay student's death: Mumbai Police arrest his batchmate
Mumbai (PTI): The Mumbai Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested a batchmate of IIT Bombay student Darshan Solanki in connection with the alleged abetment of his suicide, an official said on Sunday.
The accused, identified as Arman Khatri, and Solanki stayed on the same floor of a hostel of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and both were batchmates, he said.
In a purported suicide note recovered by the SIT on March 3, Solanki had mentioned that "Arman has killed me", the official said.
Solanki, who hailed from Ahmedabad in Gujarat and was a first-year student of the B Tech (Chemical) course, allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the seventh floor of a hostel building located on the IITB campus in suburban Powai on February 12 this year.
The Mumbai police's SIT recently received a report from a handwriting expert, which said the handwriting in the purported suicide note recovered from the institute's hostel matched the writing samples of the deceased, confirming that it was written by him, an official earlier said.
The Maharashtra government had formed the SIT to conduct a probe into Solanki's death.
His family had claimed that he faced discrimination at the premier institute for belonging to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community and suspected foul play in his death. However, the inquiry committee set up by the IITB had ruled out caste-based discrimination and hinted at deteriorating academic performance as a possible cause of suicide.
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Subramanian Swamy alleges Russian involvement in Sanjay Gandhi's death on podcast
New Delhi: In yet another bombshell revelation, BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy has stirred controversy by claiming that Sanjay Gandhi, the son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, did not die in a natural accident, but was allegedly killed by Russia. Swamy made these explosive remarks during a candid interview on the podcast Unplugged Shubhankar, hosted by former Aaj Tak anchor Shubhankar Mishra.
Swamy, known for his outspoken nature and often controversial opinions, shared his theory while recounting his friendship with Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay’s younger brother, who later succeeded him in politics after Sanjay’s untimely death in 1980.
During the podcast, Swamy alleged that Sanjay Gandhi’s death in a plane crash was not an accident, as widely believed, but a deliberate act orchestrated by Russia. He explained that Russia viewed Sanjay as a threat due to his inclination to bring India closer to the United States. Swamy stated, “Russia killed him. They feared he would take India to America. There is a lot of proof for that.”
He further revealed that he had spoken to Indira Gandhi about his suspicions at the time, but according to Swamy, she responded with a resigned acceptance, saying, “What is the use? He will not come back.” The implication, according to Swamy, was that even though Indira Gandhi may have suspected foul play, she believed that there was no point in pursuing the matter further.
Sanjay Gandhi’s death had long been considered a tragic accident, with the young leader's plane crashing shortly after takeoff during a routine flight over New Delhi. However, Swamy’s claims about foreign interference are likely to ignite new debates about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The veteran politician also shared anecdotes about his close friendship with Rajiv Gandhi, narrating how they would often discuss important political matters late at night. Swamy recalled how Rajiv sought his guidance on issues such as Article 370, and even expressed a desire to speak against it, only to be persuaded otherwise by his mother, Indira Gandhi.
Swamy also revealed how he had a role in the fall of VP Singh’s government, claiming that Rajiv Gandhi had asked for his help in toppling the administration. According to Swamy, he advised Rajiv that Chandrashekhar, another prominent politician at the time, would be a better alternative to VP Singh. The plan, as described by Swamy, eventually led to Chandrashekhar’s brief tenure as Prime Minister.
Swamy’s podcast remarks are sure to raise eyebrows, particularly his assertion that Sanjay Gandhi’s death was not an accident but the result of international political intrigue. While there has been no concrete evidence to support such a claim, Swamy's reputation for making bold, headline-grabbing statements guarantees that this revelation will spark intense discussion in political circles.
As the podcast gains traction, these allegations are likely to reignite interest in the mysterious circumstances of Sanjay Gandhi’s death.
