1 hr ago
IIT Bombay Professor’s Statement Expected in Student Suicide Inquiry
Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Ravindra Wakode.
Investigators are checking campus camera recordings and speaking with students.
They want to understand what happened from the examination hall to Sahil’s hostel room.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has not yet been questioned, but his statement is expected soon.
Sahil’s parents believe Doolla and Professor Shireesh Kedare were involved and want them arrested.
Faculty members and many students disagree with that view.
They say Doolla was doing his job when he reported possible unauthorized phone use during an examination.
The investigation has not yet publicly established responsibility for Sahil’s death.
Doolla remains a teaching faculty member, although he was relieved of his Dean of Student Affairs post.
Mumbai Crime Branch is reviewing CCTV footage and recording student statements in the investigation into Sahil Ravindra Wakode’s death.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has not been summoned yet, but investigators expect to record his statement soon.
Wakode’s parents demanded the immediate arrest of Doolla and Professor Shireesh Kedare.
Hundreds of students and the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum demonstrated in support of Doolla.
The Faculty Forum said Doolla reported alleged unauthorized smartphone use during an examination under institutional rules.
- Who
- Mumbai Crime Branch, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, Professor Shireesh Kedare, Sahil Ravindra Wakode’s parents, students, and the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum.
- What
- An investigation is examining the death by suicide of 20-year-old IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode and the conduct of named faculty members.
- Where
- The investigation concerns the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus in Mumbai, including an examination room, lobby, and hostel.
- When
- The parents’ visit and campus demonstrations took place on Tuesday; Doolla’s statement is expected to be recorded soon.
- Why
- The inquiry is examining events before Sahil was found dead after an alleged examination incident involving unauthorized smartphone use; his parents and faculty members offer differing accounts.
Family’s Allegations
Faculty and Student Support
Responsibility for the death
Family’s Allegations
Sahil’s parents named Suryanarayana Doolla and Shireesh Kedare and demanded their arrest, saying their son had been suffering.
Faculty and Student Support
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum supports Doolla and says he was performing his institutional duties; the investigation has not established responsibility.
Examination incident
Family’s Allegations
Sahil’s father said the family feared allegations that Sahil had done something wrong or cheated and urged authorities to consider his academic record.
Faculty and Student Support
The Faculty Forum said Doolla reported alleged unauthorized smartphone use during the examination in accordance with Senate-approved rules.
Institutional response
Family’s Allegations
The family is pressing the Crime Branch to complete the investigation quickly and arrest those they believe were involved.
Faculty and Student Support
Hundreds of students and faculty members demonstrated in support of Doolla, while the Faculty Forum said he remains a teaching faculty member and had not been suspended from that role.
Key facts
- Student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
- Investigation agency
- Mumbai Crime Branch.
- Current inquiry
- Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and recording statements from students.
- Expected action
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla’s statement is expected to be recorded soon; he has not yet been summoned.
- Parents’ demand
- Ravindra and Sonali Wakode are seeking the immediate arrest of Suryanarayana Doolla and Shireesh Kedare.
- Faculty position
- The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum says Doolla acted under Senate-approved guidelines after reporting alleged unauthorized smartphone use during an examination.
- Doolla’s institutional status
- He was relieved as Dean of Student Affairs but remains a teaching faculty member.
Quotes
Professor Dr Rajkumar S Pant
President of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum
“I came to the Crime Branch today. My request to everyone is to complete the investigation as soon as possible and arrest those who are involved, namely Shireesh Kedare and Suryanarayana Doolla.”
republicworld.com
“Professor Doolla is not suspended as a professor of IIT Bombay, and he is still a teaching faculty member in our institution.”
republicworld.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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