IIT Bombay has sent Professor Suryanarayan Dulla on leave following the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode. The move comes 4 days after Wakode's death, as protests and demands for an inquiry continue at the institute.

The institute's Board of Governors has also formed a 10-member high-level committee to examine the circumstances of the case. The panel has been directed to submit its report within one week. A decision on further action is expected after the inquiry is completed and the report is received.

Who is on the committee?

The committee will be chaired by Professor Ramesh Venkateshwaran, chairman of the IIT Palakkad Board of Governors. Its members include IIT Bombay professors K. Narayanan, Sandeep Kumar Saha and Deepti Kalsi.

Students have also been included in the panel. They are Aditya Joshi, general secretary for hostel affairs; Dev Arora, overall coordinator of the Student Mentor Programme; and research scholar Devi Lal. A retired IAS officer and a former vigilance official are also part of the committee.

The panel will examine all aspects connected with the case. The institute's management has said the report will guide the next decision. Dulla has been accused of instigating the student's death, an allegation that is part of the ongoing inquiry.

Crime Branch investigation

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is separately investigating the case. According to sources cited in the report, the agency may summon Professor Dulla and record his statement.

The Crime Branch has already recorded statements from Wakode's parents. They have alleged that their son was being targeted. These allegations have not been established by the inquiry.

The Board of Governors also considered demands raised by students. According to sources, most demands were accepted, with the exception of the demand for resignation.

Political demands and student protest

Political activity around the case has increased. Sujata Ambedkar is expected to reach IIT Bombay after 4 PM and join students in a protest.

The Congress has demanded a CBI investigation. The government's position is that the Mumbai Police Crime Branch is capable of handling the case and is examining all angles.

The report also refers to figures showing that 45 students died by suicide across 23 IITs over 5 years, with Hyderabad recording the highest number at 7 cases. Those figures provide broader context to concerns around student deaths at the institutions, but the committee's immediate task is to investigate Wakode's case.

Conclusion

IIT Bombay's immediate response includes Professor Dulla's leave and a 10-member inquiry panel with a 1-week reporting deadline. The Crime Branch investigation and the committee's findings will determine the next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why was Professor Suryanarayan Dulla sent on leave?

Professor Dulla was sent on leave after the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode. He has been accused of instigating the student's death, an allegation under investigation.

Q. How many members are on the IIT Bombay inquiry panel?

The high-level committee has 10 members.

Q. When will the committee submit its report?

The committee has been instructed to submit its report within one week.

Q. Who is chairing the committee?

Professor Ramesh Venkateshwaran, chairman of the IIT Palakkad Board of Governors, is chairing the panel.

Q. What is the Crime Branch doing in the case?

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has recorded statements from Wakode's parents and may summon Professor Dulla to record his statement.

Q. What has the Congress demanded?

The Congress has demanded a CBI investigation into the case.

Q. What does the government say about the investigation?

The government says the Mumbai Police Crime Branch is capable of investigating the case and is examining all angles.