Archive · 22 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Students Seek Reforms, Clarify Cheating and Doolla Stance
Sahil Wakode was a 22-year-old student at IIT Bombay who was found dead in his hostel room on September 18.
His death led students to organize protests.
The students said they want the institute to improve its rules, support systems, and handling of student concerns.
They also clearly said that cheating and other academic misconduct should not be supported.
IIT Bombay had earlier described an exam-related incident involving Wakode and later apologized for part of its statement.
Students asked Professor Suryanarayana Doolla to temporarily leave his dean role while the investigation continues.
They said this was meant to protect the investigation, not to say that he was guilty.
Some students rejected claims of caste discrimination, while others raised concerns about Doolla’s disciplinary record.
The student representatives also said outside political groups should not control the campus discussion.
Student protests followed the September 18 death of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Wakode in his IIT Bombay hostel room.
Student representatives said their demonstrations seek systemic institutional reforms and do not condone cheating or academic misconduct.
Representatives requested that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla be relieved as Dean of Administrative Affairs while the investigation continues, without presuming his guilt.
IIT Bombay had said Wakode used a phone and uploaded an exam paper to an AI platform, then apologized for an earlier statement that he was caught cheating.
Students differed over caste-discrimination allegations and whether removing Doolla from his administrative post was justified.
- Who
- IIT Bombay student representatives and students, deceased student Sahil Wakode, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, and the IIT Bombay administration.
- What
- Students issued a statement clarifying that their protests seek systemic reforms and accountability, do not justify academic misconduct, and include a request to temporarily relieve Doolla of his dean duties during the investigation.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on September 18; student representatives issued their clarification on a Tuesday.
- Where
- The events concern the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai.
- Why
- Students said the protests arose from concerns about institutional systems, student welfare, accountability, and the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
Student Reform Demands
Concerns About Targeting Professor Doolla
Temporary removal from administrative duties
Student Reform Demands
Student representatives said Doolla should be relieved as Dean of Administrative Affairs during the investigation as a precaution to protect its independence.
Concerns About Targeting Professor Doolla
Some students said removing Doolla from the post was wrong because he was carrying out his responsibilities and should not be targeted before the inquiry concludes.
Caste-discrimination allegations
Student Reform Demands
Wakode’s parents’ complaint involved alleged caste discrimination and harassment, and these concerns formed part of calls for institutional accountability.
Concerns About Targeting Professor Doolla
Some IIT Bombay students rejected reports of caste discrimination and said caste bias does not exist at the institute.
Disciplinary practices
Student Reform Demands
Some students alleged that Doolla had suspended students or removed them from hostels for reasons they considered trivial, contributing to concerns about institutional processes.
Concerns About Targeting Professor Doolla
Student representatives emphasized that protests should not be interpreted as support for cheating and that Doolla’s guilt should not be presumed before the investigation.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year BTech student in Energy Science and Engineering
- Incident
- Wakode was found hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on September 18
- Student position
- Representatives said they do not condone cheating or any form of academic misconduct
- Exam account
- IIT Bombay said Wakode used a mobile phone during an examination and uploaded the question paper to an AI platform; it later apologized for an earlier statement about the incident
- Main demand
- Students sought systemic reforms and requested that Doolla be relieved of his Dean of Administrative Affairs duties while the investigation continued
- Investigation position
- Representatives said they do not presume Doolla’s guilt and want the inquiry to proceed fairly and impartially
- Political involvement
- Student representatives said concerns arising from the death should remain student-led and addressed within the institute
Sources
IIT Bombay suicide: Student Reps demand systemic reforms, clarify stance on Prof Doolla
‘We do not condone cheating…’: IIT B students say demands emerged from campus experiences, concerns