The IIT Bombay administration has apologised for its earlier statement about the death of a second year student, Sahil Wakode, saying that the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated. The institute said it was not appropriate to present details as confirmed before the investigation was completed.
The student, from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, died on September 18. IIT Bombay had earlier said that he was found using a mobile phone during an examination and had uploaded the question paper on an AI platform to seek answers. The institute had also said that no disciplinary action was started against him at that time.
The developments led to protests on the IIT Bombay campus, with students demanding an investigation and action from the administration. Students also objected to what they said was the institute earlier portrayal of the student before a detailed inquiry.
Amid the protests, Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, Dean of Administrative Affairs and head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was suspended from his administrative post with immediate effect. IIT Bombay said further action would depend on the investigation. He will continue as a professor and department head for now. The institute has also denied reports that its director, Shireesh Kedare, has resigned. Meanwhile, the student family has made allegations against the professor, while the institute and faculty members have disputed some of the claims. The matter remains under investigation.
