Archive · 24 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Postpones Exams After Sahil Wakode’s Death
IIT Bombay has delayed some exams after a student died on campus.
The student was Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old BTech student.
He had allegedly been found with a mobile phone during an examination.
His family said he had faced caste-based harassment.
Police opened a case that includes allegations of encouraging or contributing to his death.
The professor who was supervising the exam was sent on leave while the matter is investigated.
Students protested on campus after Wakode’s death.
IIT Bombay created a committee to study what happened.
The institute is also preparing clearer rules for handling possible cheating cases.
IIT Bombay shifted mid-semester exams from September 26-27 to October 10-11 after protests following Sahil Wakode’s death.
Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student, was found dead on September 18 after allegedly being caught with a mobile phone during an exam.
His family alleged caste-based harassment, and police registered an FIR alleging abetment to suicide under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the invigilator named in the FIR, was sent on leave and removed from administrative responsibilities amid the investigation.
A 10-member committee will examine the circumstances of Wakode’s death, while a new SOP is being prepared for handling suspected academic misconduct during exams.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay; Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the exam invigilator named in the FIR; IIT Bombay officials, students and police are involved.
- What
- IIT Bombay postponed its mid-semester exams, while investigations and protests followed Wakode’s death.
- When
- Wakode died on September 18; exams scheduled for September 26-27 were moved to October 10-11. The committee was asked to report within 10 days.
- Where
- IIT Bombay’s campus in Mumbai, including the examination hall and Wakode’s hostel room.
- Why
- The postponement followed Wakode’s death and campus protests, and is intended to allow time for consultations and preparation of clearer procedures for academic-misconduct cases.
Student and Family Concerns
Institute and Faculty Position
Handling of the examination incident
Student and Family Concerns
Students and Wakode’s family raised concerns about how the alleged phone incident was handled and linked it to broader campus protests and allegations of caste-based harassment.
Institute and Faculty Position
IIT Bombay and its faculty forum said Doolla was performing his invigilation duties and followed the prescribed procedure after allegedly detecting misconduct.
Academic consequences
Student and Family Concerns
The call for clearer, student-friendly procedures reflects concerns that academic-misconduct cases should be handled fairly and consistently.
Institute and Faculty Position
IIT Bombay said Wakode was counselled after the incident and assured that it would not affect his academic career.
Accountability and investigation
Student and Family Concerns
Wakode’s family allegations led police to register an FIR alleging abetment to suicide and invoke protections under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Institute and Faculty Position
The institute sent Doolla on leave, removed him from administrative responsibilities and appointed a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
- Original exam dates
- September 26-27
- Revised exam dates
- October 10-11
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student
- Date of death
- September 18
- Committee
- A 10-member high-level committee; its report was requested within 10 days
- Invigilator
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, sent on leave amid the investigation
- Proposed changes
- A student-friendly SOP and clearer procedures for suspected academic misconduct
