MUMBAI, Sept. 25 -- The parents of the IIT Bombay student who allegedly died by suicide last week began an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Thursday evening after meeting the chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). The students' parents had initially planned to stage their protest at IIT-B's main gate. However, on Thursday morning, when they were travelling towards the institute, the police stopped them 5 km away from the campus. After reportedly waiting for about an hour, they were taken to the government's Sahyadri Guest House where NCSC chairperson Kishor Makwana met them. Advocates Nikhil Kamble and Siddharth Ingale, who are providing legal aid to the parents, said that Makwana asked the parents whether they had faith in the ongoing investigation. The parents then raised concerns about the CCTV footage related to the student's death, which has recently been widely circulated in the media and on social media. They questioned how the footage, which they described as important evidence in the case, became available publicly, and told Makwana that they wanted an independent inquiry into this. They have also sought the arrest of IIT Bombay director Shireesh Kedare and dean of student affairs Satyanarayan Dulla. The parents submitted their representation of 12 demands to the NCSC chairman during the meeting and reiterated their demand for action against those named in the case. They also demanded that the investigation be handed over to the CBI. After the meeting, the parents went to Azad Maidan at 5 pm to conduct their indefinite hunger strike there. They said they would remain on strike until Prof Suryanarayana Doolla was arrested and their other demands were addressed. Late on Thursday night, however, they had to leave after the police denied them permission for Friday on account of Ganesh visarjan. They will continue their hunger strike on Saturday. Makwana also visited IIT Bombay and held a detailed meeting with the director, deputy director, registrar, faculty members and other officials, where he sought details of the events during and after the September 18 incident. He also visited the energy science and engineering department, the examination hall and the student's hostel room, and met his classmates. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi spoke to the parents of deceased IIT Bombay student over a video call for nearly 20 minutes on Wednesday night and assured them of his support as they seek justice for their son. Gandhi spoke to both Sahil's father and mother and heard their account of the events leading up to their son's death. Rahul Gandhi later spoke to advocate Nikhil Kamble, who has been representing the family since the beginning of the case. A member of the Youth Congress, present during the call, told HT that the family told Gandhi that Sahil's phone was currently in police custody. Gandhi then advised Kamble to approach the police and seek call records and other details from the phone as part of the investigation. He also assured the lawyer that his legal team would remain in touch with him, the member said....