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IIT Bombay Rules Omit Apology Letter in Student Case
Sahil Wakode was an IIT Bombay student who died by suicide on September 18.
Before his death, he was asked to leave an examination after being accused of copying.
Sources said he was taken to superiors and signed an apology letter.
However, IIT Bombay’s written rules do not say that students must write such a letter.
The rules say that the student should receive a new answer book and continue the exam.
A committee is then supposed to examine the evidence.
Students say these steps were not followed in Sahil’s case.
Police are investigating what happened and whether anyone’s actions contributed to his death.
The institute did not respond to questions about the apology letter.
Sahil Wakode wrote an apology letter after being removed from an exam over alleged copying, sources said.
IIT Bombay’s 2015 academic-m malpractice procedure does not mention requiring an apology letter.
The procedure says students should receive a fresh answer book and continue the examination while the case is reviewed.
Students allege the prescribed process was not followed, prompting demands for a standard operating procedure.
A Mumbai Police investigation is examining the circumstances of Wakode’s death, including possible procedural lapses and caste discrimination.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, IIT Bombay, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, protesting students, and Mumbai Police investigators.
- What
- An investigation is examining Wakode’s death and whether IIT Bombay’s academic-malpractice procedures were followed after he was accused of copying.
- Where
- The incident occurred at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus, including an examination hall and hostel room.
- When
- Wakode died on September 18; the examination incident occurred earlier that day, with sources placing his removal at about 12:38 p.m.
- Why
- Police are examining whether actions or procedural lapses related to the examination contributed to Wakode’s death, as well as whether he faced caste discrimination.
Students’ concerns
Institutional and investigative process
Handling of the exam incident
Students’ concerns
Protesting students say Wakode should have been given another answer sheet and allowed to continue, as IIT Bombay’s written procedure states.
Institutional and investigative process
The institute did not respond to questions about the apology letter. Police said they would examine the procedures followed as part of their investigation.
Need for standardized rules
Students’ concerns
Students argue that inconsistent implementation across departments shows the need for a standard operating procedure for academic-malpractice cases.
Institutional and investigative process
IIT Bombay postponed the remaining examinations pending preparation of such procedures, while its existing process assigns evidence review to a departmental disciplinary committee.
Possible contribution to the death
Students’ concerns
Students and investigators are questioning whether the examination response or other conduct contributed to Wakode’s suicide.
Institutional and investigative process
Police have not stated a final conclusion; their investigation is examining possible actions by the professor, procedural lapses, and alleged caste discrimination.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Wakode
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
- Reported exam incident
- Wakode was reportedly removed from the examination hall at about 12:38 p.m.
- Written procedure
- IIT Bombay’s April 2015 procedure says a fresh answer book should be issued and the student allowed to resume writing.
- Apology letter
- Sources said Wakode signed one after being taken to superiors, but the formal rules do not mention such a requirement.
- Investigation
- The probe was transferred from Powai Police to the Mumbai Police crime branch.
- Academic response
- Exams were postponed, and remaining mid-semester papers were to be held after standard operating procedures were prepared.
Quotes
A Special Investigation Team officer
An officer involved in the Mumbai Police investigation into Wakode’s death.
“It has come to light that the student was asked to leave the exam hall by the invigilator, Professor Suryanarayan Doolla, at around 12:38 pm. He was then taken to the superiors, where he signed a written apology letter for copying in the exam, after which he reached his room around 1.25 pm, as per CCTV footage.”
indianexpress.com
“Our probe focused on establishing if the professor did something that pushed Wakode to commit suicide and if he faced any discrimination due to his caste. While we will look at procedures that were followed in this case, usually procedural lapses are dealt with at the institute level.”
indianexpress.com
IIT Bombay academic-misconduct procedure
The institute’s April 2015 procedure for handling academic malpractice cases.
“In case the evidence is not clear, the benefit of the doubt goes to the student.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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