IISc faculty urge restraint over allegations following IIT Bombay student’s death

Bengaluru, Sept 29 (INB) A group of faculty members of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has urged the media and public to refrain from circulating unverified allegations following the death of a student at the IIT Bombay campus, it said. In a letter dated September 25, the faculty members expressed sorrow over the student’s death on September 18 and conveyed their condolences to the student’s family, friends and the IIT Bombay community.
The faculty members said they were concerned about what they described as “public vilification and prejudgment” surrounding the incident and alleged that unverified claims against Prof Suryanarayana Doolla had been circulated in sections of the media and on social media. They stressed that complaints and allegations should be investigated impartially and in accordance with law and institutional procedures, and that accountability should follow wherever responsibility is established.
“At the same time, allegations must not be presented as facts, nor should guilt be assigned while law-enforcement agencies and other competent authorities are still examining the matter,” the faculty members said. They cautioned that public vilification or trial through media and social media could cause serious and potentially irreversible harm to the reputation and dignity of individuals and their families, besides undermining due process.
The faculty members also called for adequate support systems for faculty, non-teaching staff, students affected by such incidents and their families, saying competent authorities should ensure that concerned parties receive support while maintaining the integrity of investigations. Reflecting on broader challenges faced by young adults, the letter referred to issues such as disrupted sleep, difficulty sustaining attention, peer pressure, social comparison and challenges in interpersonal relationships.
The faculty members said educational institutions have a responsibility not only to impart knowledge but also to foster confidence, intellectual independence and self-worth among students, while making them aware of academic discipline, integrity and ethics. They acknowledged that balancing academic excellence, student expectations and well-being is a continuing challenge for faculty and students, particularly in premier institutions. The IISc faculty members appealed to the media, academic community and wider public to exercise restraint and allow investigative and legal processes to take their course. “Justice and accountability are best served by evidence, fairness, due process, and restraint,” they said, calling against prejudgment and trial through media or social media.The letter was signed by around 89 faculty members of the Indian Institute of Science.