IIT Bombay’s administration has accepted the students' 18-point demand of the students after three days of protests over the suicide of student Sahil Vakode.
The director of the institute, Shirsh Kedare, also hinted at resignation
The developments come after a discussion between the students who staged a sit-in protest near the main gate of the institute and the director and other senior administrators.
The details of the agreement will formally be placed before students at an open house on Monday,
A livestream of the meeting showed the Director signing the 18-point charter submitted by the students.
One of the demands was the suspension of Prof Suryanarayana Doolla, who was invigilating the examination taken by Sahil and has been named in the FIR registered on the basis of a complaint by his parents
Kedare is seen saying We will follow the process in the livestream,
the students sought immediate action in Sahil’s case and demanded systemic changes to the institute’s academic, disciplinary and mental health systems.
The investigation of the suicide of the Sahil Vadoke the second year student, has also been handed over to the Crime Branch of Mumbai.
The parents, who initially refused to take possession of the body over action against the accused, agreed to do so after receiving assurances that the investigation would be handed over to the Crime Branch.
The Powai police registered a case of abetment to suicide under section 108 of the BNS based on a complaint from Sahil’s father, Ravindra Vakode.
On Friday, Sahil was found using his mobile phone during the exam. He had uploaded the exam question paper on ChatGPT to get answers. Prof. Doolla and the head of the department spoke to the student and allegedly assured him that the incident would not have any adverse effect on his academic career.
However, he was found dead in the room in the evening. However, the students have alleged that Sahil was threatened with possible suspension.
Several students belonging to the Dali community reportedly died by suicide at the campus.
After the death, the institute had to clarify that Sahil did not file any complaint over caste-based discrimination with the SC/ST Students and Staff Cell of IIT Bombay. Prof. Shirish B. Kedare also denied the caste discrimination allegations.
