IIT Bombay student death: Accused Professor sent on leave; family demands arrests
Mumbai: In a major administrative shift following the death of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Ravindra Wakode, IIT Bombay has removed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from his post as Dean of Administrative Affairs and placed him on official leave to ensure an unhindered investigation.
The action follows growing campus unrest and intense pressure from Sahil’s family, who have formally demanded the immediate arrest of both Professor Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Professor Shirish Kedare.
Allegations of caste discrimination and mental harassment
Sahil Wakode, a second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, 2026. The incident occurred hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
However, the case took a severe turn after an FIR was lodged against Professor Doolla under charges of abetment to suicide and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Sahil’s mother alleged that her son was subjected to systematic harassment, verbal abuse and humiliation based on his caste, ultimately pushing him to take the extreme step.
Family demands immediate custodial action, announces strike
Expressing deep dissatisfaction with the pace of administrative action, Sahil's father, Ravindra Wakode, questioned why those named in the FIR remain free.
Ravindra Wakode sought to know why no action has been taken, and why they haven't arrested the ‘culprits’. He added that while the family has fully cooperated with law enforcement officers, they are launching a peaceful protest strike in Powai to demand immediate arrests and justice for their son.
Investigative focus shifts to CCTV footage and student testimony
While Professor Doolla has not yet been formally summoned, police sources confirm his statement will be recorded shortly. Investigating officers are currently analysing CCTV footage from the classroom, building lobby and hostel premises to reconstruct the exact timeline of events on September 18. Statements from multiple students who interacted with Sahil prior to his death have already been recorded as part of the ongoing probe.
(With PTI inputs)