Crime branch to probe IIT-Bombay student death case; faculty forum backs professor named in FIR

The Crime Branch of Maharashtra has opened an investigation into the death of a second‑year student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, authorities said on Tuesday. The student, identified as 20‑year‑old Aakash Singh, was found dead in his hostel room on 12 September after reportedly sustaining injuries from a fall. The police have registered a first‑information report (FIR) naming Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a senior member of the Department of Electrical Engineering, as a suspect in connection with the incident..

The case has drawn heightened scrutiny from the academic community and prompted the institute’s Faculty Forum to issue a statement expressing condolences while affirming its support for the professor.According to the FIR, the incident occurred after an altercation between the student and the professor over academic matters. The police report states that the student was summoned to the professor’s office on the evening of 11 September and that a confrontation ensued, culminating in the student being escorted back to his hostel. The exact sequence of events remains under investigation, and senior police officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions before the forensic analysis of the hostel room is completed..

The Crime Branch has seized the student’s mobile phone, the professor’s office computer, and CCTV footage from the hostel corridor as part of its evidence‑gathering process.The institute’s administration has confirmed that it is cooperating fully with the authorities. In a brief press release, the Director of IIT Bombay, Professor Subhasis Chaudhuri, said the university “takes any allegation of misconduct very seriously” and that an internal committee would review the circumstances surrounding the student’s death alongside the police investigation. The university has suspended Professor Doolla pending the outcome of the probe, a move that aligns with standard procedure in Indian higher‑education institutions when faculty members are named in criminal complaints.The Faculty Forum, a body comprising senior faculty members elected to represent academic interests, released a separate statement on Wednesday..

The forum expressed “deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased student” and reiterated its commitment to “upholding the values of due process and academic freedom.” While acknowledging the gravity of the allegations, the forum added that it stands by Professor Doolla, describing him as “an esteemed educator with an unblemished record of research and mentorship.” The statement further indicated that the forum would monitor the investigation and ensure that any findings are communicated transparently to the institute’s community.Student groups at IIT Bombay have reacted with a mixture of grief and demand for clarity. The Students’ Union organized a candle‑light vigil on campus on Thursday, during which participants called for “a swift and impartial inquiry” and for “justice for the young life lost.” Several student leaders also urged the university to provide regular updates, citing concerns that a lack of information could erode trust between the student body and the administration. In a separate social‑media campaign, the hashtag #JusticeForAakash trended locally, reflecting broader public interest in the case.Legal experts have noted that the involvement of a faculty member in a criminal FIR is relatively rare but not unprecedented in India’s higher‑education sector..

Professor Arvind Kumar, a criminal law scholar at the National Law School of India University, explained that the FIR, once filed, obliges the police to investigate, but the burden of proof remains with the prosecution. “If the investigation uncovers substantive evidence linking the professor to the student’s death, the case could proceed to trial; otherwise, the FIR may be closed,” he said. He added that the professor’s suspension is a precautionary measure and does not constitute a finding of guilt.The forensic report, expected within the next two weeks, will be crucial in establishing the cause of death..

Preliminary medical records indicate that the student suffered multiple fractures consistent with a high‑impact fall, but the autopsy will determine whether any other factors, such as blunt force trauma or pre‑existing medical conditions, contributed. The Crime Branch has also indicated that it will examine whether any breach of hostel safety protocols occurred, as the institute’s regulations stipulate that students must be escorted by hostel staff after curfew hours.The broader academic community has observed the case as a test of institutional accountability. Meera Krishnan, chair of the Indian Association of Universities, remarked that “universities must balance the protection of their staff with the safety and welfare of students.” She called for a clear framework that delineates the responsibilities of faculty members when engaging with students outside the classroom, particularly in matters that may involve disciplinary action or academic evaluation.In the meantime, the IIT Bombay campus has seen heightened security measures..

Additional police patrols have been deployed around hostel blocks, and entry to the engineering department’s faculty lounge has been restricted pending the outcome of the investigation. The university’s counseling centre has also set up a dedicated helpline for students and staff affected by the incident, emphasizing the importance of mental‑health support during the ongoing inquiry.The case remains under active investigation, with the Crime Branch urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. As the forensic analysis proceeds and the legal process unfolds, the academic institution, its faculty forum, and the student community await clarity on the circumstances that led to the untimely death of a promising young engineer..

The resolution of the matter will likely influence future policies on faculty‑student interactions and could set a precedent for how Indian institutes of higher learning address similar incidents..