Sahil Wokade, a student at IIT Bombay, last spoke with his parents on September 13. A few days later, he reached out again, expressing concerns about being subjected to caste slurs and discrimination. In response, his father advised him to be patient and to focus on the promising future that awaits him.
The details and circumstances leading up to the incident remain subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities,” read the post.
“We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil.
Father Questions IIT’s Integrity on Cheating Allegations
The father of the victim criticized the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) for reversing its earlier stance on cheating allegations. He emphasized the need for clarity, asking, “What more proof does one need?” This statement highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability within the institution.
On Monday, IIT Bombay backtracked on its earlier statements, in which it claimed that Sahil cheated in an exam using ChatGPT, linking his death to it. Faculty member Suryanarayan Doolla has been named in the FIR in the case, which alleges abetment to suicide on grounds of caste discrimination . He has been charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The student’s death case was transferred to the Crime Branch on September 19 for further probe following widespread student protests on campus.
It further stated, “In view of the ongoing investigation, it was inappropriate to have set out or characterised details relating to the events preceding his demise before they had been duly established through the appropriate investigative process.”
