1 hr ago
Parents Allege Casteist Harassment Before IIT Bombay Student’s Death
Sahil Wakode was a student at IIT Bombay who was found dead in his hostel room.
His death is being investigated as an alleged suicide.
His parents said Sahil had told them about caste-based insults, abuse, and humiliation.
His mother specifically made an allegation against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.
The parents said these problems had continued for about three months.
They met Sahil five days before his death and advised him to concentrate on his studies.
They now say they regret telling him to tolerate the situation.
Police are investigating the parents’ claims, the exam-related ChatGPT allegation, and the actions of institute officials.
Sahil Wakode’s parents said he reported casteist remarks, harassment, and humiliation before his alleged suicide.
His mother alleged Professor Suryanarayana Doolla repeatedly made caste-related remarks over approximately three months.
The parents said they met Sahil on September 13 and advised him to focus on his studies.
Sahil was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18, hours after an alleged ChatGPT-related exam incident.
The Crime Branch recorded the parents’ statements and said IIT Bombay officials would be summoned for questioning.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, his parents Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, IIT Bombay officials, and the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.
- What
- Sahil’s parents alleged that he faced casteist remarks, harassment, and humiliation before his alleged suicide; the circumstances are under investigation.
- Where
- Sahil was found in his hostel room on IIT Bombay’s Powai campus; his parents met Crime Branch officials in Bandra, Mumbai.
- When
- Sahil was found dead on September 18; his parents said they met him on September 13, and spoke to investigators on September 22.
- Why
- The parents are seeking a thorough investigation and action against anyone found responsible for the alleged harassment and death.
Parents’ allegations
Institute-related account and investigation
Cause and circumstances of death
Parents’ allegations
The parents linked Sahil’s distress to alleged casteist remarks, harassment, abuse, and humiliation, and sought action against those responsible.
Institute-related account and investigation
The available institute-related account cited an alleged incident involving mobile-phone access to ChatGPT during an examination; the broader circumstances remain under Crime Branch investigation.
ChatGPT allegation
Parents’ allegations
Sahil’s mother questioned whether there was evidence for the cheating allegation and suggested it may have diverted attention from the issues in the FIR.
Institute-related account and investigation
IIT Bombay’s initial claim was that Sahil had been caught using ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination; the articles do not provide a further institute response.
Next steps
Parents’ allegations
The parents demanded a thorough investigation and immediate arrest of IIT Bombay Director Professor Shirish Kedare and Professor Doolla.
Institute-related account and investigation
A senior Crime Branch official said the parents’ statements had been recorded and that IIT Bombay officials, including Professor Doolla, would be summoned for questioning.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student in Energy Science and Engineering
- Death
- Found hanging in his hostel room on September 18
- Parents’ allegation
- He reported casteist slurs, abuse, torture, and humiliation
- Specific allegation
- His mother attributed repeated caste-related remarks to Professor Suryanarayana Doolla
- Reported duration
- The alleged casteist treatment had continued for around three months, according to his mother
- Exam incident
- He was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination
- Investigation status
- The Crime Branch recorded the parents’ statements; IIT Bombay officials were yet to be questioned
Quotes
Suryanarayana Doolla
An IIT Bombay professor whom Sahil’s mother alleged made the caste-related remark
“I have full faith in the Crime Branch and request that the investigation into my son Sahil's death be completed fairly, thoroughly, and strictly in accordance with the FIR. The allegations and circumstances recorded in the FIR must be properly investigated, and appropriate action should be taken against those found responsible.”
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
“When we met Sahil on September 13, he had spoken about casteist remarks against him. But we counselled him that it was not easy to get into an IIT and that he should focus on his studies. Now we feel that perhaps it was our mistake.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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