2 hrs ago
IIT Bombay Professor Interrogated Over Student Suicide Case
Police questioned an IIT Bombay professor about a student's death.
The student, Sahil Wakode, was 22 years old.
He was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
Earlier, he had been caught using a mobile phone during an exam.
His parents said the professor treated him unfairly because of his caste.
The professor denied saying anything casteist or humiliating.
Police are checking his statement against evidence and witness accounts.
The professor has been removed from his administrative role and sent on leave.
Some IIT Bombay teachers said he was only doing his job by reporting exam malpractice.
Mumbai Police's Crime Branch questioned IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla for about eight hours.
Student Sahil Wakode, 22, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18.
Wakode had been caught using a mobile phone during an examination shortly before his death.
Wakode's parents alleged caste discrimination, while Doolla denied using casteist or humiliating language.
Police filed an abetment-to-suicide case, and IIT Bombay faculty members defended Doolla's conduct.
- Who
- Mumbai Police questioned IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla regarding the death of student Sahil Wakode; Wakode's parents made allegations against the professor.
- What
- Doolla was interrogated for about eight hours in an abetment-to-suicide investigation.
- Where
- The death occurred in a hostel room at IIT Bombay's Powai campus in Mumbai.
- When
- The student was found dead on September 18; the interrogation took place after the death, on the date of the report.
- Why
- Police are investigating allegations that caste discrimination and treatment following alleged exam malpractice contributed to the student's suicide.
Family and Police Allegations
Professor and Faculty Defense
Caste discrimination
Family and Police Allegations
Wakode's parents alleged that Doolla subjected their son to caste discrimination, and his father said Wakode had previously described such discrimination.
Professor and Faculty Defense
Doolla denied using casteist slurs or humiliating language and said he followed institute guidelines.
Conduct during the examination
Family and Police Allegations
The family sought action against the professor after Wakode's death and alleged that his treatment of the student was relevant to the case.
Professor and Faculty Defense
IIT Bombay faculty members said Wakode had engaged in malpractice and that Doolla was merely performing his duty by reporting it.
Investigation status
Family and Police Allegations
Mumbai Police filed an abetment-to-suicide case based on the father's complaint and are examining the allegations.
Professor and Faculty Defense
Authorities are verifying Doolla's account against available evidence and other testimonies; no conclusion about responsibility is stated in the reports.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22
- Date of death
- September 18
- Location
- IIT Bombay's Powai campus, Mumbai
- Professor questioned
- Suryanarayana Doolla
- Questioning duration
- About eight hours
- Police case
- Abetment to suicide
- Administrative action
- Doolla was removed as dean of students' welfare and sent on leave
Quotes
Ravindra Wakode
Father of deceased student Sahil Wakode
“The student indulged in malpractice during the exam. Prof Doolla reported the matter to the head of the department. If a professor is being vilified just for discharging his duties, then it is a problem for the entire teaching community in the country”
NDTV
“My son had told me about this discrimination, but I told him it's difficult to secure admission in IIT and to bear with it”
NDTV
Sources
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