IIT Bombay Student Suicide: New Revelations Emerge as Institute Retracts Cheating Claims
Mumbai: In a significant development surrounding the tragic death of 22-year-old Sahil Wokade, an IIT Bombay student found dead in his hostel room last Friday, new details from his final hours have come to light. Sources indicate that shortly before his death, the second-year Energy Science and Engineering student reached out to a close friend, expressing deep regret over his academic performance.
According to statements provided to investigators, Wokade told his friend, “I made a mistake. My Thermodynamics paper also did not go well, and now this has happened.” This communication occurred at approximately 2:30 pm on the day of the incident. Notably, sources close to the investigation confirmed that during this final conversation, the student made no mention of caste-based harassment or discrimination.
Institute Retracts Allegations
The case took a turn earlier this week when IIT Bombay formally backtracked on its initial public stance. The institute had previously suggested that Wokade’s death was linked to an incident involving alleged academic malpractice during a mid-semester examination, where he was reportedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT.
In a statement posted to social media, the institute apologized for its earlier communication. “The details and circumstances leading up to the incident remain subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities,” the post stated. The administration acknowledged that it was “inappropriate” to characterize the events surrounding the student’s death before a formal investigation could establish the facts.
A Complex Investigation
The death has sparked intense debate and civil unrest on campus. While initial reports cited the student’s parents as saying they had received complaints from their son regarding caste-based slurs and discrimination, the situation has become polarized. An FIR has been registered against Professor Suryanarayan Doolla, who served as the invigilator during the exam in question, under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Following the filing of the FIR, Professor Doolla has been sent on leave. However, this decision has met with resistance from various factions within the university. Hundreds of students and the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum have staged demonstrations in support of the professor, arguing that he was simply performing his professional duties by reporting an incident of “academic malpractice” in accordance with established Senate guidelines.
Calls for Calm and Accountability
Amidst the mounting tensions, both the Mumbai Police and the IIT Bombay Alumni Association (IITBAA) have urged the public and the media to exercise restraint. Authorities have appealed against premature conclusions and the spread of unverified information, warning that such speculation hampers the integrity of the ongoing probe.
The IITBAA has explicitly called for a fair, transparent, and speedy investigation, emphasizing that the focus should remain on justice rather than a “media trial.” To address the gravity of the situation, the premier institute has established a 10-member high-level committee tasked with conducting an exhaustive inquiry into the circumstances that led to the student’s demise. As the investigation progresses, the campus remains a site of mourning and intense scrutiny, with all eyes on the committee’s forthcoming findings.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
