IIT Madras PhD Scholar's Suicide: Professor Suspended After Inquiry Panel’s Report

Sachin Kumar Jain was found dead at his Velachery residence on March 31.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (File Photo)

The IIT-Madras has suspended Ashis Kumar Sen, a professor in the institute’s mechanical engineering department, in connection with the tragic suicide of research scholar Sachin Kumar Jain on March 31. Prof Sen was suspended last week by the board of governors on the recommendation of a five-member inquiry panel. According to the sources the inquiry committee recommended his suspension after other students confirmed harassment by him. "Prof Ashish Sen has been suspended based on the direction of the Board of Governors. The institute is following all due procedures," the Institute Spokesperson told ABP Live.

Sachin Jain was found dead at his Velachery residence after posting a WhatsApp status that read, “I am sorry, I am not good enough.” Following student protests, an inquiry committee was established in April. Responding to student demands to limit Sachin's PhD guide's access to the lab until the investigation's conclusion, IIT Madras' Director, Prof V Kamakoti announced the restriction of Prof Ashish Sen from the lab on April 13.

Allegations were made by students and Sachin Kumar Jain's brother, Bhawesh Jain, asserting that the PhD guide's inhumane treatment led Sachin to take his life. Sachin's friends also claimed mistreatment, stemming from Sachin's two-day absence without informing his guide to attend a conference last year.

On August 14, the committee submitted a report containing its findings and recommendations to the institute's director, Prof V Kamakoti.

The student body at IIT-M took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to extend their congratulations to the institute for its decision to suspend the professor.

Prof Ashish Sen found responsible for the suicide of Sachin. Suspended. @iitmadras pic.twitter.com/qAiq23Vs36

— voice of Students-IITM (@jaciitm) November 27, 2023

“The report submitted by the inquiry committee came to the conclusion that Prof Sen was responsible for the suicide of Sachin earlier this year. We congratulate the IIT-M administration for such a strong and courageous action against one of their peers,” the student body said.