IIT-B Student Suicide Case: IIT Bombay has suspended the deanship of Professor Suryanarayan Doolla with immediate effect, amid protests over the death of a second-year student. Director Shireesh Kedare said any further action would be taken only after the investigation.
Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old BTech student of Energy Science and Engineering, died on September 18, hours after he was allegedly found with a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination. The Mumbai Crime Branch is now investigating, and the family has questioned the institute's account.
#UPDATE | IIT Bombay PRO says, "Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has only been suspended from the deanship of IIT Bombay." https://t.co/QawoHFvptF pic.twitter.com/UsC1r2V6j3
— ANI (@ANI) September 21, 2026
What the Institute Said Earlier?
According to IIT Bombay's earlier account, Sahil was allegedly found using a mobile phone during the examination. The institute said he had uploaded the question paper to an AI platform to seek answers. It added that the instructor and the Head of Department counselled him and assured him that his academic career would not suffer.
No disciplinary action had been started against him, the institute said. Sahil went back to his hostel room and was found dead that evening.
Family Rejects Cheating Allegation
Sahil's parents have denied that their son was cheating. His father asked the institute to show proof of what exactly he was accused of doing, and said the family would not accept the claim without evidence. The family has also asked for CCTV footage from the exam venue to be examined.
His father also rejected the idea that academic pressure was behind the death, saying Sahil was doing well in his studies. His mother said she spoke to him on Thursday, a day before his death, and he sounded relaxed.
Caste Allegations and the FIR
The parents have also alleged that Sahil had spoken about caste-based discrimination on campus. On their complaint, Mumbai Police registered an FIR under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment of suicide, along with provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Act. Professor Doolla and other officials are named in it.
IIT Bombay has denied the discrimination claim. Its SC/ST Students and Staff Cell said Sahil had not filed any such complaint with it.
Crime Branch Takes Over, Students Protest
The parents sought a thorough probe and at first refused to claim the body at Rajawadi Hospital. The case was then moved from Powai police to the Mumbai Crime Branch, and police assured the family of a proper investigation. The allegations made by the family have not yet been established.
Students have held sustained protests on campus and submitted an 18-point charter of demands. They want an independent probe, more accountability and changes in student welfare and disciplinary rules. They also demanded action against Professor Doolla and an apology from the institute over its earlier statement.
Apology and Suspension of Deanship
IIT Bombay has apologised for its earlier statement. It said it was wrong to describe events before Sahil's death when they had not been established through a proper investigation. Amid the protests, the Director informed students that Professor Doolla's deanship was suspended with immediate effect.