Family of dead student plans to sue University of Illinois

Amanda Brennan and Danny Connolly

1 hour ago

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The family of a University of Illinois student who died of hypothermia in January will sue.

Ish Dhawan, the father of 18-year-old student Akul Dhawan, told WCIA he has consulted his legal team and will sue the university “as soon as possible.”

Akul Dhawan went missing on January 19 after he split up from a group of friends because he was refused entry to a nightclub. He later turned down two rides. A friend called METCAD’s non-emergency number at 1:23 a.m. to report Dhawan missing after he failed to respond to her text messages and calls.

The Champaign County coroner ruled the death an accident. The cause of death was listed as hypothermia, with alcohol poisoning and prolonged exposure to extremely cold temperatures cited as factors.

Ish said he is suing to hold the university accountable. He believes the suspected police officer who was called to conduct the search did not fully complete his job and wants every student to know what the police did.

Ish said dealing with the grief had been “wrenching” and his families’ entire lives had changed.

A police officer dispatched around 1:30 a.m. searched for him outside for 40 minutes, according to a timeline released by police. This officer was found to have violated two Procedure Division policies and has since been placed on paid administrative leave.

In an April 19 news release, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Police Chief Matt Ballinger said he did not believe the policy violations would have changed the outcome of Dhawan’s death.

A spokesperson for the Police Department said it does not comment on pending/upcoming litigation.

“This was a tragic accident that has placed a heavy burden on our campus community, and our thoughts continue to be with Akul’s family, friends and loved ones,” University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Police Chief Matt Ballinger said in April.