Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Tech CEO Urges Withdrawal of Case Against IIT Bombay Professor
An IIT Bombay student named Sahil Ravindra Wakode was found dead in his hostel room.
His parents said he had faced harassment and caste discrimination.
Police registered a case under a law protecting Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was named as an accused in that case.
IIT Bombay denied caste discrimination and said no disciplinary action had started against Wakode.
Police said Wakode had allegedly used a phone and ChatGPT during an exam.
Technology executive Ananthan Ayyasamy said the law was being misused in this case.
He and Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu called for the case against Doolla to be withdrawn.
Tensemi founder Ananthan Ayyasamy opposed charges against IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla under the SC/ST Act.
Ayyasamy said his Scheduled Caste background gave him personal understanding of discrimination and community hardship.
He alleged that the SC/ST Act can be weaponised and called for the case against Doolla to be withdrawn.
Doolla was named an accused after 22-year-old IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode was found dead in his hostel room.
Police said Wakode had allegedly used a phone and ChatGPT during an exam; no arrests have been made and the investigation continues.
- Who
- Ananthan Ayyasamy and Sridhar Vembu supported Professor Suryanarayana Doolla; the case followed the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode.
- What
- Ayyasamy called for withdrawal of charges against Doolla under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on a Friday, and Ayyasamy issued his statement on September 20, 2026.
- Where
- The events concern IIT Bombay in Mumbai, with the police case registered by Powai police.
- Why
- Ayyasamy said the SC/ST Act had been misused, while Wakode's parents alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination.
Calls for Withdrawal
Calls for Investigation
Use of the SC/ST Act
Calls for Withdrawal
Ananthan Ayyasamy said cases under the Act can be weaponised and argued that the case against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla should be withdrawn. Sridhar Vembu supported this position.
Calls for Investigation
Wakode's parents alleged caste-based discrimination and filed a complaint that led police to register the case under relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act.
Alleged Institutional Treatment
Calls for Withdrawal
IIT Bombay denied caste discrimination and said no disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode after the exam incident.
Calls for Investigation
Wakode's parents alleged that he faced institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination before his death.
Exam Incident
Calls for Withdrawal
IIT Bombay said no disciplinary action had begun against Wakode in connection with the exam incident.
Calls for Investigation
Police said Wakode had allegedly been caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT and had allegedly uploaded the examination paper to ChatGPT for answers.
- Student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student in Energy Science and Engineering
- Professor named
- Suryanarayana Doolla of IIT Bombay
- Police case
- Registered under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Investigation
- Transferred from Powai police to the Crime Branch
- Exam allegation
- Police said Wakode had allegedly used a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination
- Arrests
- No arrests had been made, and the investigation was ongoing
- Public supporters
- Ananthan Ayyasamy and Zoho founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu