Archive · 3 Oct 2026
IIT Bombay Professor Questioned Over Student Suicide Case
Police questioned IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla about the death of student Sahil Wakode.
Wakode was 22 and was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
Earlier that day, he had been caught allegedly using a phone to access ChatGPT during an exam.
His parents say he faced caste-based discrimination and harassment.
Doolla denies those claims and says he followed the institute's rules.
News reports differ on whether questioning lasted about eight hours or nearly 10 hours.
Police are checking his statement and have spoken to around 40 people.
The institute has also set up a committee to look into what happened.
Doolla was removed from his administrative post and sent on leave.
Mumbai Police questioned IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla over Sahil Wakode's death; reports differ on the duration, giving about eight hours and nearly 10 hours.
Wakode, 22, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was caught allegedly using a phone to access ChatGPT during an exam.
Wakode's parents alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment, and his father filed a complaint that led to an FIR against Doolla.
Doolla denied the allegations, saying he followed institute guidelines and did not use casteist or humiliating language; police recorded his statement and are checking it against evidence and testimony.
Police have recorded statements from around 40 people; the institute formed a 10-member inquiry committee, and Doolla was removed as dean of students' welfare and sent on leave.
- Who
- Mumbai Police questioned IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla in connection with student Sahil Wakode's death.
- What
- Police are investigating an abetment-to-suicide case following allegations by Wakode's parents; Doolla denies the allegations.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on September 18; Doolla was questioned on Thursday, according to one report.
- Where
- Wakode was found in his hostel room at IIT Bombay's Powai campus in Mumbai.
- Why
- The investigation follows the family's allegations of harassment and caste-based discrimination after Wakode was caught allegedly using a phone during an examination.
Family's Allegations
Professor and Faculty Response
Caste discrimination and harassment
Family's Allegations
Wakode's parents alleged that he faced caste-based discrimination and harassment, and his father said Wakode had told him about discrimination.
Professor and Faculty Response
Doolla denied the allegations, saying he followed institute guidelines and did not use casteist slurs or humiliating language.
Response to exam incident
Family's Allegations
The family is seeking justice and has demanded Doolla's arrest; the reports describe the allegations in the context of events following the exam incident.
Professor and Faculty Response
IIT Bombay faculty representatives said Wakode engaged in malpractice and that Doolla was doing his job by reporting it.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, 22
- Date found dead
- September 18
- Professor questioned
- Suryanarayana Doolla
- Questioning duration
- Reports say about eight hours or nearly 10 hours
- Police investigation
- An FIR was registered against Doolla; police are investigating the case as abetment to suicide
- Statements recorded
- Around 40 people, including parents, students, friends, and institute and hostel staff
- Institute inquiry
- A 10-member committee was constituted
- Administrative action
- Doolla was removed as dean of students' welfare and sent on leave
