New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, has suspended a professor after an inquiry committee submitted its report on the death by suicide of his PhD mentee, Sachin Kumar Jain.The New Indian Express has reported that the committee is headed by a former top cop, ex-Director General of Police, G. Thilakavathi.Based on the committee’s report – in which there were 34 recommendations – mechanical engineering professor Ashis Kumar Sen has been suspended. He had been Jain’s PhD supervisor.Jain died on March 31, leading to protests against Sen. Jain’s family also wrote to IIT-M authorities noting that Sen had been “inhuman” to students.Jain was 32 years old and from West Bengal.The student body has welcomed the move against Sen, who has been a teacher at IIT-M since 2010.Prof Ashish Sen found responsible for the suicide of Sachin. Suspended. @iitmadras pic.twitter.com/qAiq23Vs36— voice of Students-IITM (@jaciitm) November 27, 2023“We congratulate the IIT-M administration for such a strong and courageous action against one of their peers. This is a victory to many students who came together for the protests following Sachin’s suicide,” an account posted on X.NDTV has reported that in the last two years, there have been six student suicides at the institution.If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. The Suicide Prevention India Foundation maintains a list of telephone numbers they can call to speak in confidence. Icall, a counselling service run by TISS, has maintained a crowdsourced list of therapists across the country. You could also take them to the nearest hospital.