The Mumbai police crime branch on Saturday grilled Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla for nearly 10 hours in connection with the alleged suicide of 22-year-old second-year engineering student Sahil Wakode.
Deceased Sahil’s parents, who are protesting at Azad Maidan, filed the FIR against Doolla for harassing their son and making casteist remarks. They held the professor responsible for the suicide of their son.
Sahil was found hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after being caught while allegedly using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
The Mumbai Crime Branch questioned Doolla's role in the suicide and his alleged confrontation with Sahil after he was reportedly found using a phone during an examination.
The crime branch is now comparing and collaborating on Doolla’s statement, CCTV footage, witness statements, and other evidence collected during the investigation.
“Doolla was questioned about the series of events leading up to Sahil Wakode's death and his specific interactions with him, particularly what happened during the examination on September 18, and after that, Sahil was taken to another room where other professors were also present,” said a source in the police.
Police also inquired about Doolla’s conduct in other cases where the IIT Bombay students were suspended or denied permission to appear for the exams. It has been revealed that Doolla has dealt unfairly with the lower-caste students whenever it comes to delivering justice.
Investigators specifically sought to establish what transpired between Doolla and Sahil inside the examination hall between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm.
Doolla denied the charges of caste-based discrimination against the deceased Sahil, and his statement has been officially recorded.
The official said the crime branch, which is probing the case, has so far recorded statements of around 40 people, including the parents, students, friends, and institute and hostel staff.
Sahil's parents also demanded the arrest of IIT-Bombay Director Shirish Kedare. Police are also likely to summon Kedare soon to record his statement in connection with the case.
The IIT-Bombay board earlier constituted a 10-member committee to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the student's death.
