IIT Bombay Suicide: Mumbai Police may question IIT Bombay Director Shirish Kedare as part of the ongoing probe into the alleged suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode. The possible questioning comes amid allegations of harassment and caste-based discrimination raised by Sahil’s family against the institute.
The development comes after the Crime Branch questioned IIT-B professor Suryanarayana Doolla for nearly 10 hours on Saturday in connection with the case. Police have also recorded Doolla’s statement as part of the investigation.
Sahil’s parents have alleged that their son faced harassment and caste-based discrimination at the premier institute. They have demanded the arrest of Professor Doolla and IIT-B Director Shirish Kedare, alleging that institutional authorities failed to adequately address their concerns.
The Powai Police had registered an FIR against Professor Doolla following a complaint filed by Sahil’s father, Ravindra Wakode. The FIR includes allegations of abetment of suicide and invokes provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
What Happened?
Sahil Wakode was found hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
The Crime Branch has questioned Professor Doolla and recorded statements from around 40 people, including Sahil’s parents, fellow students and IIT hostel staff. Electronic devices belonging to the deceased student have also been sent for forensic examination.
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Meanwhile, Sahil’s parents had announced a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai, seeking justice for their son. However, permission for their protest was revoked, and Sahil’s father is now planning to visit the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, according to his lawyer.