A 22-year-old Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) student who died by suicide hours after being caught allegedly cheating in an examination last month had submitted a written apology to the institute and sought a second chance, police said on Tuesday.
Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student, was found hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18. According to police, he was caught earlier that day allegedly using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
Student acknowledged mistake in written statement
A police official said Wakode submitted a written statement to the institute after the examination incident. In the statement, he reportedly said he had not prepared well for the paper, acknowledged his mistake and requested another chance.
The Mumbai crime branch is investigating Wakode’s death and has recorded statements from more than 40 people, including IIT-B Director Shireesh Kedare and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a police official said.
Doolla has been accused by Wakode’s parents of harassment and caste-based discrimination. An FIR was registered against the professor at Powai police station following a complaint filed by the student’s father.
Professor denies harassment allegations
According to police, Doolla has denied the allegations of harassment levelled against him by Wakode’s parents in his statement to investigators. He has been named as an accused in the case concerning alleged abetment to suicide.
The allegations are under investigation, and the professor’s denial forms part of the statements recorded by police. The circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death remain the subject of the ongoing probe.
Parents stage hunger strike seeking justice
Wakode’s parents, Ravindra and Sonali Wakode, began a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on September 24, demanding justice for their son.
They have alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination at the premier technical institute. Their allegations against the professor are part of the case being investigated by the Mumbai crime branch.
Police have recorded statements from several people connected with the matter as the investigation continues. The written apology submitted by Wakode after the examination incident is among the details disclosed by the police official.
The investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and the allegations raised by his family.
(With inputs from PTI)
