2 hrs ago
Mumbai Crime Branch Takes Over IIT Bombay Student Suicide Probe
A second-year student at IIT Bombay was found dead in a hostel room after an exam.
Police are investigating the death as an alleged suicide.
The student’s father accused a professor of harassment and using casteist insults.
Police registered a case against the professor.
The investigation has now been given to Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch.
The institute said the student had used a phone during an exam to seek answers from ChatGPT.
It also said the student was counselled and that no disciplinary action had been started.
Faculty members supported the professor, while students held protests asking the institute to be more open and accountable.
Mumbai Police transferred the alleged suicide case of a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay to the Crime Branch.
The student’s father alleged that Professor Suryanarayan Dulla subjected the student to harassment and casteist slurs over three months.
Police registered an FIR naming Dulla after the father filed a formal complaint against campus authorities.
IIT Bombay’s Faculty Forum said Dulla was following approved procedures after finding the student using a smartphone during an exam.
Students protested on campus, seeking accountability and transparency from the institute’s administration.
- Who
- A second-year IIT Bombay BTech student, the student’s father, Professor Suryanarayan Dulla, IIT Bombay’s Faculty Forum, Mumbai Police, and protesting students.
- What
- Mumbai Police transferred the alleged student-suicide case to the Crime Branch, and an FIR was registered naming Professor Dulla.
- Where
- IIT Bombay, Mumbai, India.
- When
- The student allegedly died on a Friday evening; the reported examination took place on September 18.
- Why
- The transfer followed the student’s father’s complaint alleging harassment and casteist slurs by the professor.
Student’s Family and Protesters
Professor and IIT Bombay Faculty Forum
Conduct toward the student
Student’s Family and Protesters
The student’s father alleged that Professor Dulla harassed the student and used casteist slurs over three months.
Professor and IIT Bombay Faculty Forum
The Faculty Forum expressed solidarity with Dulla and said he was carrying out his academic duties under institute-approved policies.
Handling of the exam incident
Student’s Family and Protesters
Students demanded accountability and transparency from the administration after the student’s death.
Professor and IIT Bombay Faculty Forum
The Faculty Forum said Dulla reported the student’s unauthorised smartphone use according to procedure; IIT Bombay said the student was counselled and faced no disciplinary action.
Key facts
- Investigator
- Mumbai Police Crime Branch
- Victim
- A second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay
- Named in FIR
- Professor Suryanarayan Dulla
- Allegations
- Harassment and casteist slurs over three months
- Exam incident
- The institute said the student used an unauthorised smartphone and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT for answers.
- Institute position
- IIT Bombay said the student was counselled and that no disciplinary action had been initiated.
- Student response
- Students held a late-night protest demanding accountability and transparency.
Quotes
IIT Bombay Faculty Forum
Faculty body representing IIT Bombay teachers
“As part of the institute-approved procedure, he reported the incident to institute authorities for further action in the matter. The Faculty Forum of IIT Bombay is absolutely distressed with the tarnishing of the reputation of our colleague Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla, who was merely discharging his academic duties, and following the institute-approved procedures.”
rediff.com
republicworld.com
“We strongly express our solidarity with our colleague Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla, who was discharging his duties in line with the institute’s Senate-approved academic policies currently in force, while offering deepest condolences to the family of the student.”
rediff.com
republicworld.com
Sources
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