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IIT Bombay Student's Death Sparks Controversy and Legal Action
Sahil Wakode's suicide after an alleged exam incident has led to protests and investigations involving IIT Bombay faculty.
An IIT Bombay student, Sahil Ravindra Wakode, was found dead in his hostel room, prompting allegations of harassment from his family. The incident reportedly occurred after he was caught using a mobile phone during an examination, which led him to upload the question paper to ChatGPT for answers. Following his death, the institute asserted that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him and that he had received counseling related to the incident.
Wakode's mother has alleged that her son was subjected to torture, claiming systemic abuse and demanding justice. She stated she believes he was 'killed' and 'tortured' due to the actions taken against him after the examination incident. His father's accusations include caste-based abuse, the influence of a senior professor in the government, and ongoing harassment over several months, which allegedly contributed to Wakode's suicide.
An FIR has been filed against IIT Bombay, naming a senior professor among others, under the abetment of suicide provisions, as well as invoking the SC/ST Act in connection with the allegations of caste discrimination. The complaint was lodged by the parents of Wakode, who are seeking accountability for what they perceive as a failure of the institution to protect their son.
In response to the allegations, the institute has expressed condolences to the family but stated that they deny any wrongdoing and maintain their support for the inquiry into the events leading up to the student's death. They emphasized their commitment to a thorough investigation while rebuffing claims of mistreatment made by the family.
The Faculty Forum of IIT Bombay expressed their condolences for the student’s family but stood by Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been implicated in the allegations. As the investigation continues, campus unrest has grown with protests calling for justice and accountability from the institution.
The institute has since issued an apology for its previous statements on the circumstances surrounding the student's death. Additionally, IIT Bombay reported that one of the professors involved has been removed from their post amid ongoing investigations, as the scrutiny from both media and the public intensifies.