Archive · 3 Oct 2026
IIT Bombay Professor Denies Casteist Words in Student Death Probe
Sahil Wakode was a second-year student at IIT Bombay.
He died by suicide on September 18.
His family said he had faced caste-based and mental harassment at the institute.
They named professor Suryanarayan Doolla among the people they accused.
Doolla told investigators that he followed the institute’s rules and did not use casteist or insulting words toward Sahil.
Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the allegations.
It is checking Doolla’s statement along with other people’s statements and evidence.
The investigation has not finished.
Mumbai Crime Branch recorded IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayan Doolla’s statement in its investigation into student Sahil Wakode’s death.
Doolla was questioned for about eight to 10 hours on Friday at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai.
He said he followed institute guidelines and denied using caste-based or derogatory words toward Wakode.
Wakode’s family alleged he faced caste-based and mental harassment at the institute and named Doolla among those they accused.
The Crime Branch is reviewing Doolla’s statement alongside other statements and evidence; the investigation is ongoing.
- Who
- IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayan Doolla, student Sahil Wakode, and Wakode’s family.
- What
- The Mumbai Crime Branch recorded Doolla’s statement as part of its investigation into Wakode’s death and allegations of harassment.
- When
- Doolla was questioned on Friday for about eight to 10 hours; Wakode died on September 18. The year is not stated.
- Where
- At the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai.
- Why
- Investigators are examining allegations by Wakode’s family that he faced caste-based and mental harassment at the institute.
Family’s allegations
Professor’s response
Harassment allegations
Family’s allegations
Wakode’s family alleged that he faced caste-based and mental harassment at the institute and named Doolla among those they accused.
Professor’s response
Doolla denied the allegations and said he acted according to institutional guidelines.
Caste-based or derogatory language
Family’s allegations
The family raised allegations of caste-based harassment; the article does not specify their claims about particular words used by Doolla.
Professor’s response
Doolla denied using caste-based or derogatory words during his interaction with Wakode.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year IIT Bombay student
- Date of death
- September 18; the year is not stated
- Professor questioned
- Suryanarayan Doolla
- Questioning duration
- About eight to 10 hours
- Questioning location
- IIT Bombay campus in Powai
- Doolla’s response
- He said he followed institute guidelines and denied using caste-based or derogatory words.
- Investigation status
- Ongoing; the Crime Branch is examining statements and evidence.