The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has taken over the investigation into the death by suicide of a second-year IIT Bombay student after his parents alleged caste-based discrimination and pressure on their son at the institute.
The First Information Report (FIR), registered on the basis of the parents’ complaint, names institute officials, including former dean of student affairs Suryanarayan Dulla and other senior officials. It invokes Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to abetment of suicide, as well as provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The investigation will now be conducted by the Mumbai Crime Branch under an assistant commissioner of police (ACP)-rank officer.
Parents allege caste discrimination and campus pressure
The student’s parents have alleged that their son had previously spoken to them about caste-based discrimination and difficulties he was experiencing on campus.
They told police that they had advised him to remain patient and assured him that his situation would improve after he completed his course.
The parents began protesting at the IIT Bombay campus on Saturday morning, demanding action and an explanation for their son’s death.
They later went to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, where the student’s body had been kept. According to police, they initially refused to claim the body and demanded action against those they held responsible.
The parents eventually claimed the body after police agreed to transfer the investigation to the Crime Branch and assured them of a thorough probe.
FIR names institute officials
The FIR was registered after the parents approached the Powai police. Besides Dulla, the complaint names other senior officials, with the family alleging that caste-based harassment and pressure contributed to their son’s death.
The police have also invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following the parents’ allegations that the student was subjected to casteist remarks.
The allegations have not been established, and the investigation is continuing.
IIT Bombay’s SC/ST Students and Staff Cell has said that the student had not lodged any complaint about caste-based discrimination with the cell.
The institute has also denied allegations that the student had faced caste-based discrimination or had been threatened with suspension.
Death followed examination incident involving ChatGPT
The student, a second-year undergraduate from IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, died by suicide in his hostel room on Friday.
Earlier that day, he had been found using a mobile phone during an examination. IIT Bombay said he had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
The institute said no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. According to its account, the matter was discussed with the student by the instructor and the head of the department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
The institute said the student subsequently returned to his hostel room, where he was later found dead.
Police said no suicide note was found.
Some students, however, alleged that the student had been asked to leave the examination hall and faced the possibility of disciplinary action, including suspension. IIT Bombay has rejected that account, saying no disciplinary proceedings were initiated.
Student protests continue on campus
The student’s death triggered protests at IIT Bombay, with students raising concerns over academic pressure, examination rules and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Students began protesting late on Friday night and continued their demonstration on Saturday. More than 100 students gathered at the institute’s main gate on Saturday morning, while reports from the previous night said more than 400 students had participated in protests on campus.
The ongoing mid-semester examinations were also postponed following the protests.
Students have demanded greater clarity from the administration about the events preceding the death and questioned the institute’s handling of academic and disciplinary matters.
This is the third reported student suicide on the IIT Bombay campus this year, according to reports.
IIT Bombay says it will cooperate with probe
Following the registration of the FIR and transfer of the investigation, IIT Bombay said it would cooperate fully with the authorities.
“The police have registered a case and the matter is under investigation. IIT Bombay will cooperate fully with the authorities and request everyone to respect the family’s privacy,” the institute said.
It also urged people to refrain from speculation while the investigation is under way.
The institute had earlier said it was deeply saddened by the student’s death and that it was extending support to his friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by the incident.
Investigation to examine competing claims
The Crime Branch probe will examine the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, including the allegations made by his parents and the institute’s account of what happened during and after the examination.
The police will also investigate the allegations made under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the charge of abetment of suicide.
The caste-discrimination allegations remain claims made by the family at this stage. IIT Bombay has said that no such complaint was lodged by the student with its SC/ST cell or administration, while the police investigation is continuing.