Malpractice in exam allegation and professor's suspension; Crime Branch to investigate IIT Bombay student's death

MUMBAI: Police handed over the investigation into the suicide of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student at IIT Bombay, to the Crime Branch. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was suspended from the post of College Dean; however, he will continue as a faculty member in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. This action follows three days of protests by students on the campus.

Meanwhile, Director Shireesh B. Kedare stated in an email to the students that further action against Doolla would be taken only after the investigation is concluded. Additionally, IIT Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare signed a charter of demands containing 18 points put forward by the students. IIT Bombay also expressed regret for disclosing certain details in an earlier statement before the facts had been fully investigated.

Doolla was the invigilator when Sahil took the exam. It is alleged that Sahil attempted to answer the questions by uploading the question paper to ChatGPT. The student's parents had alleged that Sahil faced caste-based discrimination and mental harassment. Following this, an FIR was registered based on the family's complaint, and Doolla’s name was subsequently included.

Amidst ongoing protests regarding a student's death, a teachers' forum came forward in support of Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla. The forum clarified that Doolla was temporarily relieved of administrative duties to ensure an independent and impartial investigation. Teachers held a march on the campus on Monday in support of Doolla.