IIT Madras Holds Professor Accountable: Suspended Amid Probe into PhD Student's Death

IIT Madras has suspended a professor following the inquiry report that found him responsible for a PhD student’s suicide. A students body with the name: Voice of Students, congratulated the administration for their decision. 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras management has suspended a professor of the Mechanical Engineering Department, based on an inquiry report submitted by a five-member committee, which found him responsible for the suicide of a research scholar student in March 2023. The Voice of Students (IITM student's body) congratulated the administration for such a strong and courageous action. 

The suicide had flared protests on the campus, with students demanding action against the professor. The institute ordered an inquiry by a five-member committee including a former director general of police, two former Indian Administrative Service officers, a professor, and a student representative. 

Student's Body: Voice of Students - IITM Congratulates Administration

A student body with the name Voice of Students - IITM, posted on X, “The detailed report submitted by the inquiry committee came to the conclusion that Prof.Sen is responsible for the suicide of Sachin earlier this year. We congratulate the IIT administration for such a strong and courageous action against one of their peers. This is a victory for many students who came together for the protests following Sachin’s suicide.” 

As per media reports, an institute spokesperson confirmed that the professor, who was PhD Scholar's - Sachin Kumar Jain’s guide, has been placed under suspension based on a direction from the Board of Governors, and after following all due procedures. 

Sachin Kumar Jain, a 31-year-old PhD scholar at the Mechanical Engineering Department, died by suicide on March 31, 2023. The brother of the deceased had written to the IIT director alleging that Sachin was forced to take the extreme step due to the inhumane treatment by his guide.  

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