started · updated
IIT Bombay suspends Dean and apologizes following student suicide
The death of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Wakode at IIT Bombay has triggered intense campus protests and a high-profile police investigation. Following the student's suicide on September 18, the Mumbai Crime Branch took over the case to examine digital evidence, including the student's mobile phone, as no suicide note was found in his hostel room.
In response to student demands and allegations from the deceased's parents, IIT Bombay administration has taken several significant actions. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the Dean of Administrative Affairs, has been suspended from his deanship. Additionally, Director Shireesh B. Kedare signed an 18-point charter of demands submitted by protesting students, which includes calls for an independent inquiry and improved mental health resources.
The institute has also issued a formal apology for its initial communications regarding the circumstances of the death, admitting it was inappropriate to characterize events before a full investigation was completed. While the student's family alleges caste-based harassment and mental pressure by faculty, the institute has previously denied allegations of discrimination. The investigation is being conducted under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for alleged abetment of suicide and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Entities
IIT Bombay · Mumbai Crime Branch · Sahil Wakode · Shireesh B. Kedare · Shireesh Kedare · Suryanarayana Doolla
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Following student protests, Director Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter addressing demands for an independent inquiry. hindi.news18.com · hindikhabar.com · thefederal.com · pragativadi.com · www.dnaindia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] This incident marks the third suicide on the IIT Bombay campus within a seven-month period. bhaskarlive.in · hindi.news18.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] Police registered a case including allegations of abetment of suicide and violations of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. www.socialnews.xyz · bhaskarlive.in · www.mangalorean.com · yespunjab.com · hindikhabar.com · +1 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] IIT Bombay issued an apology for previous communications regarding the circumstances of the student's death. www.socialnews.xyz · bhaskarlive.in · munsifdaily.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.mangalorean.com · +7 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] Investigators are analyzing the student's mobile phone for digital evidence as no suicide note was found in the hostel room. www.socialnews.xyz · bhaskarlive.in · www.mangalorean.com · yespunjab.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the death of Sahil Wakode. www.socialnews.xyz · bhaskarlive.in · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.mangalorean.com · yespunjab.com · +1 more
- [DISPUTED] Sahil Wakode's parents allege he faced caste-based and mental harassment by faculty members. www.socialnews.xyz · bhaskarlive.in · english.mathrubhumi.com · www.mangalorean.com · yespunjab.com · +1 more
- [DISPUTED] IIT Bombay denied allegations of caste discrimination and stated the student had not filed a complaint with the institute's SC/ST cell. www.newsbytesapp.com · hindi.pardaphash.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] IIT Bombay refuted reports claiming that its Director, Shireesh B. Kedare, had resigned. munsifdaily.com · thefederal.com · theshillongtimes.com · www.newindianexpress.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been suspended from his position as Dean with immediate effect. hindi.pardaphash.com · munsifdaily.com · samacharnama.com · thefederal.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · +5 more