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IIT Faculties and Students Defend Professor in Suicide Probe
Sahil Wakode was a 20-year-old student at IIT Bombay who died by suicide in his hostel room on September 18.
Earlier, he was allegedly found using a phone during an exam.
IIT Bombay said he may have used ChatGPT to seek answers, but said no disciplinary action had begun against him.
Wakode’s family accused Professor Suryanarayana Doolla of caste-based discrimination and harassment.
Police opened a case against Doolla, and IIT Bombay removed or suspended him from a dean position while the investigation continues.
Some students and faculty members said Doolla was fair, supportive and committed to student welfare.
They also said teachers should be able to enforce examination rules without being publicly blamed before facts are established.
The groups asked authorities to investigate fairly while also examining whether students receive enough help during stressful academic situations.
IIT Madras faculty and IIT Bombay faculty members expressed support for Professor Suryanarayana Doolla while offering condolences after Sahil Wakode’s death.
Wakode, a 20-year-old IIT Bombay BTech student, died by suicide in his hostel room on September 18.
He was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination, and IIT Bombay said he allegedly uploaded the paper to ChatGPT.
Wakode’s family alleged caste-based discrimination and institutional harassment, while Mumbai Police registered an FIR against Doolla for alleged abetment of suicide and alleged violations of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
Twenty-three current and former students backed Doolla, while faculty groups called for a fair, transparent, time-bound and evidence-based inquiry without prejudgment.
- Who
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, Sahil Wakode, Wakode’s family, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras faculty members, 23 current and former IIT Bombay students, and Mumbai Police.
- What
- Faculty members and students defended Doolla while authorities investigate allegations connected to Wakode’s death, including alleged abetment of suicide and caste-based discrimination.
- Where
- The incident occurred at IIT Bombay’s campus in Powai, Mumbai, including Hostel Number 4.
- When
- Wakode died on September 18, 2026; the student and faculty support statements followed, including a student statement dated September 21, 2026.
- Why
- Supporters called for due process and an impartial inquiry, while Wakode’s family sought investigation of alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination.
Supporters Calling for Due Process
Family Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
Doolla’s conduct
Supporters Calling for Due Process
The 23 students and faculty associations described Doolla as fair, supportive, ethical and committed to student welfare, saying he acted within approved academic procedures.
Family Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
Wakode’s family alleged that Doolla subjected him to caste-based discrimination and harassment over the preceding months; these allegations are under investigation.
Handling the examination incident
Supporters Calling for Due Process
Faculty groups said teachers must be able to uphold examination integrity in good faith and should not face public vilification before an inquiry is completed.
Family Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
The incident occurred after Wakode was allegedly found with a phone during an examination, and protesters and his family said he faced severe pressure and alleged threats of suspension.
What should happen next
Supporters Calling for Due Process
Supporters want a rigorous, impartial, transparent and evidence-based inquiry, along with protection against media trials and premature conclusions.
Family Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
Wakode’s family and the police complaint have prompted criminal investigation, while critics want alleged harassment, discrimination and institutional procedures examined.
Key facts
- Student who died
- Sahil Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay.
- Date and location
- Wakode died on September 18 in his room at Hostel Number 4 on the IIT Bombay campus.
- Examination incident
- He was allegedly found with a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination; IIT Bombay said he allegedly uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT.
- Police case
- Mumbai Police registered an FIR naming Doolla for alleged abetment of suicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- Student support
- Twenty-three current and former students and research scholars signed a statement describing Doolla as approachable, fair and supportive.
- Faculty support
- The IIT Madras Faculty Association and IIT Bombay faculty members called for due process and defended the ability of teachers to enforce examination procedures.
- Institutional action
- IIT Bombay removed or suspended Doolla from a dean position pending investigation; reports differ on whether the position was Dean (Student Affairs) or Dean (Administrative Affairs).
Quotes
Current and former IIT Bombay students and research scholars
Students and scholars from IIT Bombay’s Power Engineering Lab who signed the support statement.
“No words can ease the grief of his parents and family, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to them. We also stand with his friends, classmates and the wider student community of IIT Bombay, who are mourning the loss of one of their own. The death of any student is a loss to the entire academic community, and it is a reminder that our institutions must keep making the wellbeing of every student a central priority.”
NDTV
“At a time of such grief, we believe it is important that the circumstances be examined fairly and through due process. We note the statement of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum that Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla, as course instructor and invigilator, acted in accordance with the Senate-approved academic procedures of the institute.”
NDTV
Sources
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