IIT-Madras suspends faculty over PhD scholar's suicide

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'IIT Madras'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.