IIT Bombay has issued a formal apology regarding statements made in its earlier communications concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year BTech student found dead in his hostel room on the campus.
Key Developments and Institutional Stance
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The Apology: In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the institute acknowledged that it was “inappropriate to have set out or characterised details relating to the events preceding his demise” before the appropriate investigative authorities had duly established them.
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Denial of Director’s Resignation: The institute categorically denied widespread reports that IIT Bombay Director Shirish Kedar had resigned, clarifying that such news is entirely false. This followed earlier tension on Sunday night when Kedar had verbally indicated to protesting students that he would step down pending a formal process and meeting.
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Ongoing Negotiations: Administration officials and protesting students have held renewed discussions. Two of the students’ 18 demands have reportedly been fulfilled so far, and the director is expected to address a press conference later this evening.
Background and Investigation
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The Incident: Sahil Ravindra Wakode was found dead in his hostel room following an incident where he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
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Faculty Forum Support: The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has expressed solidarity with the suspended exam invigilator, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla. The forum stated that the professor was simply following official institutional protocol after finding the student in unauthorized possession of a smartphone.
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Allegations and Police Probe: The protests intensified as the student’s family and student groups alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination, filing a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
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Current Status: The Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation, examining digital evidence from the student’s device as no suicide note was recovered. Police are expected to question individuals named in the First Information Report (FIR), including the suspended invigilator.
