Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 23: IIT Bombay has sent Professor Suryanarayan Doolla on leave amid an ongoing investigation into the death by suicide of student Sahil Wakode, who was allegedly subjected to caste-based discrimination and institutional harassment, sources said.

The institute has also constituted a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and submit its report within a week.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch has intensified its investigation into the case. The agency recorded statements on Tuesday from Sahil’s parents and students who were present with him in the examination hall, were in contact with him at the hostel or had knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Crime Branch is also likely to record statements from IIT Bombay professors and other faculty members. Sahil’s parents may be questioned again if investigators require further information or clarification.

Professor Doolla has been summoned by the Crime Branch for questioning on Wednesday.

Investigators are also examining Sahil’s locked iPhone with technical assistance and attempting to retrieve data, including his ChatGPT history, to verify allegations and establish the sequence of events.

The agency is examining the statements recorded so far, along with digital evidence and other material gathered during the investigation.

The 10-member committee constituted by IIT Bombay includes student representatives and a former vigilance officer. It will be headed by Professor Ramesh Venkateswaran, Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Palakkad.

The IIT Bombay representatives on the panel are Professor K Narayanan, Professor Sandeep Kumar Saha and Professor Deepti Kalsi.

The student representatives include Hostel Affairs General Secretary Aditya Joshi, Overall Coordinator of the Student Mentor Programme Dev Arora and research scholar Devi Lal. A retired IAS officer and other members are also part of the committee.

According to sources, the Board has considered the demands raised by students, with most reportedly agreed to, except the demand seeking the resignation of the officials concerned.
Further action will be decided after the committee submits its report and the inquiry is completed.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on the IIT Bombay campus on Friday evening.

Officials said the incident occurred hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.

The controversy intensified after the institute initially said Sahil had been caught using a phone to upload the question paper to ChatGPT. IIT Bombay later apologised for its earlier characterisation of the events, stating that it was inappropriate to disclose details that had not been established through the investigative process.

Sahil’s family has alleged caste-based discrimination and institutional harassment and sought action against those responsible.

Mumbai Police have registered an FIR naming Professor Doolla following a complaint by the family. The case has since been transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

The allegations remain under investigation.