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[INTERNATIONAL] · India · 6 sources

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Part of situation: IIT Bombay student death and discrimination investigation (14 clusters)

IIT Bombay student death sparks global Dalit protests and police probe

IIT Bombay Sahil Wakode caste discrimination Dalit rights student suicide

The death of Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, has sparked international condemnation and local protests. Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, shortly after being accused of using ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam. His family alleges he was subjected to severe caste-based harassment and mental torture by faculty members.

An FIR has been filed against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla under the SC/ST Act for abetment of suicide. In response, the institute has placed Doolla on leave and formed a 10-member committee to investigate the incident. The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded statements from 40 individuals and sent electronic devices, including mobile phones and a laptop, to a forensic laboratory for data recovery.

Global Dalit and Ambedkarite organizations, including the Ambedkar Association of North America, have criticized IIT Bombay for its handling of the case. They argue the institution's premature public statements regarding Wakode's conduct were irresponsible and fueled hostility against the SC/ST community. These groups are demanding a formal apology, the retraction of statements regarding the student's conduct, and an independent investigation featuring external experts and SC/ST representation.

Meanwhile, Wakode's parents, Ravindra and Sonali, have launched an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, demanding justice and the arrest of those they hold responsible, including Professor Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.

Entities

Ambedkar Association of North America · IIT Bombay · Mumbai Crime Branch · Sahil Wakode · Shireesh Kedare · Shirish Kedare · Suryanarayan Dulla · Suryanarayana Doolla

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] Global Dalit and Ambedkarite organizations demand that IIT Bombay retract its public statements regarding the student's conduct and apologize to his family. www.counterview.net · pudhari.news
  • [● 3 SOURCES] An FIR has been filed against faculty member Suryanarayan Dulla under the SC/ST Act for abetment of suicide. www.counterview.net · www.aajtak.in · www.deccanchronicle.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Mumbai Crime Branch has recorded official statements from 40 individuals regarding the death of Sahil Wakode. www.aajtak.in
  • [● 3 SOURCES] Sahil Wakode was subjected to caste-based harassment and mental torture at IIT Bombay. www.counterview.net · www.aajtak.in · www.deccanchronicle.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Sahil's parents have launched an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai. www.aajtak.in · www.deccanchronicle.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Two mobile phones, a laptop, and a tablet have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for data recovery. www.aajtak.in
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been placed on leave to facilitate an impartial investigation. www.deccanchronicle.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] IIT Bombay has established a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances of the student's death. www.deccanchronicle.com

Sources

Sahil Wakode death: Global Dalit groups demand accountability from IIT Bombay [www.counterview.net]
IIT बॉम्बे छात्र सुसाइड केस: क्राइम ब्रांच ने 40 लोगों के बयान किए दर्ज, डिजिटल सबूतों से खुलेगा मौत का राज! [www.aajtak.in]
Sahil Wakode Case: साहिलच्या समर्थनार्थ एकवटल्या जगभरातील आंबेडकरी संघटना | Sahil Wakode IIT Bombay case Ambedkarite Buddhist organisations [pudhari.news]
IIT-बॉम्बे छात्र साहिल वाकोड़े आत्महत्या मामला: माता-पिता से क्राइम ब्रांच ने 8 घंटे की पूछताछ [samacharnama.com]
IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode’s Father To Begin Hunger Strike At Azad Maidan [news.abplive.com]
IIT Bombay Student's Parents Continue Hunger Strike, Seek Action [www.deccanchronicle.com]