Parents of Akul Dhawan, who froze to death in US, accuse police of 'negligence' in open letter
Indian-American student Akul Dhawan who froze to death in US.
The passing of 18-year-old Akul Dhawan, a freshman at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), has sparked considerable unease, especially as his parents are demanding clarification regarding the events leading up to his demise.Dhawan's body was discovered on January 20, reportedly succumbing to hypothermiaafter being exposed to frigid temperatures of -2.7 degrees Celsius following a denied entry to a local pub.
Parental appeal
Expressing their sorrow and seeking accountability, Dhawan's parents penned an open letter to the police, articulating their anguish and raising pertinent inquiries about the circumstances surrounding their son's death.
According to the News-Gazette report, Ish and Ritu Dhawan expressedtheprofound impact of their son's sudden demise, lamenting the absence of assistance during his critical moments. They stated, "Our son died in freezing conditions while at school on campus. No parent should ever experience their child passing away on campus with no one to help him."
In their missive, the Dhawan family conveyed their pride in Akul's academic accomplishments and the shock of learning about his death without prior notification from the university regarding any potential concerns.
"We were so proud of our son for completing his semester and thriving at the university. He was a very smart kid who had his whole life before him. As a parent, I never thought I'd receive such news. We are completely devastated. We have a big massive hole left in our family; we will never be the same. Nothing can bring him back," they wrote.
)
"Am I Worthy?" Ranbir Kapoor addresses backlash over playing Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part 1
)
Lift accident? Maintenance, builders & makers are ALL liable now, rules Supreme Court: 3 major regulations | WION Decodes
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
)
Pakistan avalanche: Four bodies found as search for Nirmal Purja and 9 other climbers enters critical phase
)
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (July 31, 2026): The Vacation Principle, Rao Bahadur, Chum- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Buying Russian oil could cost India dearly? MEA breaks silence on US 100% tariff bill
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
60,000 migrants from Morocco flood Spain's Ceuta, EU calls influx unacceptable, Trump warns US
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu ranks India's 4th richest CM, wealthiest in Northeast: ADR report
)
US offers $15mn reward to dismantle alleged IRGC drone funding network
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
iPhone 18 Pro could be Apple's biggest price jump in years, says new leak
)
Pakistan avalanche: Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja confirmed dead
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 10: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
Hosts India sweep Malaysia for double gold in men’s and women’s Commonwealth Table Tennis finals
)
Russian e-retailer Ozon comes under Ukrainian drone attack amid Russia-Ukraine war
)
Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal reveals why she warned Tom Holland and Zendaya against dating
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Ariana Grande's Petal video fuels debate as fans voice concern over her appearance
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Pakistan Broad Peak avalanche: Body of US's Mallory Geis identified; Nirmal Purja, 9 others remain missing
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
Parents seek clarity
The Dhawan family's letter poses a series of pressing questions to the UIUC police and university authorities, seeking transparency regarding the handling of Akul's disappearance.
Also watch |Indian-origin student Akul Dhawan froze to death in Illinois after nightclub denied entry
They queried the protocol followed by the police, the extent of the search efforts, and the reasons behind the delayed discovery of their son. Expressing skepticism towards the police's actions, the Dhawans alleged negligence from authorities.
Accusing the police of failure to adhere to established search protocols, the Dhawan family asserted that a timely and comprehensive search near the Busey-Evans Residence Hall could have potentially averted the tragedy.
(With inputs from agencies)