Archive · 21 Sep 2026
IIT-Bombay Protesters Demand Resignations After Student Death; Police Detain Demonstrators
Students and a student group held a protest outside IIT Bombay after Sahil Wakode died.
They asked the institute’s Director, Shireesh B. Kedare, to resign.
They also demanded that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla be arrested.
Mumbai Police detained some of the protesters.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating Wakode’s death.
Investigators are checking his phone for a possible note or other evidence.
IIT Bombay said reports of Kedare’s resignation were false.
The institute said Doolla was suspended as Dean and apologised for earlier statements about the death.
Mumbai Police detained students and members of a student organisation protesting outside IIT Bombay.
Protesters demanded Director Shireesh B. Kedare’s resignation and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla’s arrest.
The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the investigation into Sahil Wakode’s death.
Investigators are examining Wakode’s mobile phone because no suicide note was found in his hostel room.
IIT Bombay denied that Kedare had resigned and confirmed Doolla’s suspension as Dean.
- Who
- Students and members of a student organisation protested; IIT Bombay Director Shireesh B. Kedare and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla were central to their demands.
- What
- Protesters demanded Kedare’s resignation and Doolla’s arrest after the death of student Sahil Wakode; police detained some demonstrators.
- When
- Monday.
- Where
- Outside IIT Bombay in Mumbai.
- Why
- The protesters linked their demands to Wakode’s death and called for accountability while the investigation continues.
Protesters’ Position
IIT Bombay’s Position
Accountability
Protesters’ Position
Protesters demanded Director Shireesh B. Kedare’s resignation and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla’s arrest, with one protester accusing the Director of responsibility for the deaths.
IIT Bombay’s Position
IIT Bombay said Kedare had not resigned and that further action concerning Doolla would follow the investigation.
Claims about the death
Protesters’ Position
Protesters called for action in connection with Sahil Wakode’s death and raised broader allegations about deaths at the institute.
IIT Bombay’s Position
IIT Bombay said the details and circumstances leading to Wakode’s death remained under investigation and that it had been inappropriate to characterise them before they were established.
Administrative action
Protesters’ Position
Protesters sought stronger action, including Doolla’s arrest.
IIT Bombay’s Position
The institute confirmed that Doolla had been suspended from his Dean position with immediate effect, while indicating that additional action would depend on the investigation.
- Protest action
- Students and members of a student organisation gathered outside IIT Bombay for a peaceful protest.
- Police response
- Mumbai Police detained protesters.
- Investigation
- The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the investigation into Sahil Wakode’s death.
- Digital evidence
- Investigators are examining Wakode’s mobile phone; no suicide note was found in his hostel room.
- Director’s status
- IIT Bombay said reports that Shireesh B. Kedare had resigned were false.
- Professor’s status
- Suryanarayana Doolla was suspended immediately from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs.
- Institute statement
- IIT Bombay apologised for earlier statements about the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.