IIT Bombay student suicide: panel formed, professor sent on leave, crime branch takes over

The IIT Bombay administration has taken major decisions in the suicide case of Sahil Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student. According to sources, the institute has formed a special 10-member committee for a fair investigation and directed it to submit its report within a week. Professor Suryanarayan Dulla has been sent on leave until the investigation is complete, to ensure there is no interference in the probe.

Given the seriousness of the case, the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police has stepped up its legal investigation. The police team has recorded statements from Sahil Wakode's parents as well as classmates who were with him in the exam hall and hostel. Investigating officers said statements of other IIT Bombay professors, teaching staff, and Professor Suryanarayan Dulla would also be recorded soon.

Police have registered an FIR on a complaint by Sahil's father, naming Professor Suryanarayan Dulla and other officials. The FIR includes serious sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for abetment of suicide, along with provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Given the sensitivity of the case, the investigation has been transferred from Powai police to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, which is now examining all the allegations in depth.

Sahil Wakode died by suicide at IIT Bombay. The institute administration had claimed he was caught using ChatGPT to cheat during an exam. Following this, the second-year B.Tech student was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on the Powai campus on Friday evening. A few hours before the incident, Professor Dulla had caught Sahil using a mobile phone during the exam.

Separately, the deceased student's father has filed a police complaint against the professor alleging caste-based harassment. Following the incident, students staged a strong protest at the IIT main gate demanding the director's resignation. In a meeting with the students, Kedare accepted a memorandum listing 18 demands from the students and assured them the institute would consider them seriously.