IIT-Bombay protesters demanding Director's resignation, professor's arrest detained

Mumbai: Mumbai Police on Monday detained members of a student organisation and students who had gathered outside IIT Bombay to stage a peaceful protest, demanding the resignation of the institute's Director Shireesh B. Kedare and the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla in connection with the death of student Sahil Wakode.

"Four murders have happened so far! And the Director says that we will not accept the demands? The director himself is the murderer," a protester told reporters.

Earlier in the day, the Mumbai Crime Branch took over the investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Wakode. Investigators are examining his mobile phone for any suicide note or other digital evidence, as no such note was found in his hostel room.

Meanwhile, IIT Bombay on Monday refuted reports claiming that its Director Kedare had resigned following the student’s death, stating that the reports were false. The institute, however, confirmed that Professor Doolla had been suspended from his position as Dean with immediate effect.

A few videos have also been circulating on social media, purportedly showing Kedare’s resignation.

In a post on X, IIT Bombay said: "Director IIT-Bombay has NOT resigned. We categorically state that the related news is false."

In another post, the institute apologised for statements made in its earlier communication regarding the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.

“We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil. The details and circumstances leading up to the incident remain subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities,” the institute said.

"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," it added.

Meanwhile, Kedare said that Doolla had been suspended from his position as Dean with immediate effect.

Doolla has been suspended only from his position as Dean (Administrative Affairs), while further action will be taken following the completion of the investigation, Kedare said.

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