The family of Surabhi Verma, the IIT Delhi PhD scholar who lost her life to a pit collapse during a paleoclimatology research trip right outside the Lothal Harappan valley civilization site in Ahmedabad, has submitted an application with the Ahmedabad Rural Police seeking the registration of an FIR in the case. Surabhi's father Ram Khelawan Verma, who is a government school teacher in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, told The Indian Express that the police have not yet recorded statements of the family. “Despite registering a complaint with the Koth police station on December 8 and sharing the copy of the same with the police official concerned, PN Gohil (PSI of Koth police station), the police have not taken any action so far. When I asked for the same on December 14, we were told that the police have a timeline of three months and during this time, if something is detected then required action will be taken accordingly. But so far, they have not recorded any statements.” While police officials said they are yet to receive the family's application through official means, a copy of the same was received on WhatsApp and police have taken primary cognizance of it, said officials. The application, accessed by The Indian Express, is addressed to the officer in-charge of Koth police station, and states that Surabhi had gone on a three-day research trip with her professor from IIT Delhi and two other persons, including a professor and student from IIT Gandhinagar were also with them, when she lost her life on November 27. Naming a faculty member, the letter states that there was “gross negligence” on the part of the professor and the institute. It further stated that safety measures were not taken into account while digging the pit for research, which was also dug in the prohibited zone of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) using a JCB machine from the road contractor. The application further alleged, “Surabhi was sent into the pit without any safety belts or helmet by the faculty member and that there was no safety team on standby at the spot. Neither the local administration nor the ASI were informed about the same.” In the application, the family has requested the police to lodge an FIR under the relevant sections of the law and take action against those responsible for Surabhi's death. The Indian Express spoke to Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat, who said, “We are investigating the case taking all factors into account. We are yet to receive certain documents sought from IIT Delhi. Investigation remains underway."
