Santosh Akhade, the 24-year-old mess worker allegedly assaulted on IIT Bombay’s campus on July 9, is still undergoing treatment for a serious head injury at Siddhivinayak Hospital in Thane. Speaking to mid-day from his hospital bed, Akhade shared details of the incident, and his hopes of returning to the campus he says he loves.

“I’m still in a lot of pain,” said Akhade, who has been working at IIT Bombay since 2018 and currently serves in the Hostel 10 canteen. According to doctors at the Thane hospital, he suffered a deep injury on the left side of his head, resulting in a subdural haemorrhage.

As per the FIR filed by Powai police, the weapon used in the attack was a wooden stick. “I was attacked from behind, but I caught a glimpse of Anil Prajapati,” Santosh recalled. Prajapati, 28, who worked as a cook at Hostel 2, has been named the prime accused and is currently absconding.