Mumbai: Mumbai Police have interrogated Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) professor Suryanarayana Doolla for almost 10 hours in connection with the alleged suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, an official confirmed on Saturday.
Doolla, who stands accused by Wakode’s parents of harassment and caste-based discrimination, refuted the allegations during questioning on Thursday, and his statement has since been formally recorded, the official said.
Wakode was discovered hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, just hours after he was reportedly caught using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
The Powai Police registered a first information report (FIR) against Doolla following a complaint lodged by Wakode’s father. Wakode’s parents, who undertook a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai demanding justice for their son, have alleged caste discrimination at the premier institute and called for the arrest of both Doolla and IIT-B Director Shirish Kedare, as reported by The New Indian Express.
The Crime Branch, which is probing the case, has so far recorded the statements of around 40 people, including Wakode’s parents, students, friends, and institute and hostel staff, the official said. Police are also likely to summon Kedare soon to record his statement in connection with the case, the official added.
Earlier, the IIT Bombay board constituted a 10-member committee to inquire into the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
