IIT Bombay Apologises Over Statement on Student Death, Professor Removed as Dean

IIT Bombay has apologised for statements it made earlier about the circumstances surrounding the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Ravindra Wakode. The institute said it should not have described or characterised details about the events before investigators had established the facts. Sahil was found dead in his hostel room on the IIT Bombay campus on Friday, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination. The apology comes as protests on campus continue over the circumstances surrounding his death and students’ demands for institutional reforms.

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IIT Bombay Denies Director’s Resignation

IIT Bombay has also denied reports that its director, Shirish Kedar, has resigned. The institute said the reports were false and confirmed that Kedar remains the director. However, Kedar had told protesting students on Sunday night that he would resign and would communicate his decision after following the required process. He also signed a document containing 18 demands raised by the protesters. Kedar and the students held another meeting on Monday, and sources said the institute has addressed two of the 18 demands. The director is also expected to address the media.

The institute has removed professor Suryanarayana Doolla from his position as Dean of Students’ Welfare. The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has expressed support for Doolla and said he followed the institute’s prescribed procedure after allegedly finding Sahil in possession of and using an unauthorised smartphone during the examination. The forum said Doolla reported the matter to the appropriate authorities as required. It also said the professor only carried out his academic responsibilities and followed institutional rules.

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Family Alleges Harassment and Caste Discrimination

The dispute intensified after Sahil’s family and protesting students alleged that the institute subjected him to harassment and caste-based discrimination. His parents have filed a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, alleging discrimination. IIT Bombay, however, has said that the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death remain under investigation. The institute apologised for discussing details of the incident before the authorities had completed their investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into Sahil’s death. Investigators are examining his mobile phone for possible digital evidence, while police have confirmed that they found no suicide note in his hostel room. Police may summon people named in the FIR, including professor Doolla, for questioning. Meanwhile, protesting students have submitted 18 demands, including student representation on academic committees, an independent investigation into four cases of student deaths by suicide on campus and mental health workshops for professors. IIT Bombay’s response to these demands remains a key part of the ongoing discussions between the administration and students.

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