Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Former IIT Director Proposes Five-Year BTech Amid Bombay Death Row
Sahil Wakode was a second-year student at IIT Bombay who was found dead in his hostel room.
His death is being investigated as an alleged suicide.
Police are examining what happened after he was allegedly caught using a phone and ChatGPT during an exam.
A complaint named professor Suryanarayana Doolla and alleged that caste discrimination contributed to the death.
Doolla has been taken off some duties while the investigation continues.
IIT Bombay created a 10-member committee to study the circumstances.
Former IIT Delhi director V Ramgopal Rao said Doolla should not be publicly condemned before the facts are examined.
Rao also said students learn at different speeds and may need different kinds of help.
He suggested a BTech programme designed to take up to five years, while allowing some students to finish earlier.
Former IIT Delhi director V Ramgopal Rao defended IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla against public criticism.
IIT Bombay formed a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding student Sahil Wakode’s death.
Doolla was named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide linked to caste discrimination and was removed from duties during the probe.
Wakode was found dead in his hostel room after allegedly using a phone and ChatGPT during an examination.
Rao proposed a five-year BTech structure with flexible completion times and additional academic and language support.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode; IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla; former IIT Delhi director V Ramgopal Rao; IIT Bombay and Mumbai Police investigators.
- What
- IIT Bombay launched a committee inquiry into Wakode’s death, while police investigate an FIR naming Doolla and alleging abetment to suicide linked to caste discrimination.
- When
- Wakode was found dead on September 18; IIT Bombay announced the committee the following Wednesday, and Doolla was reported suspended from his dean role on September 21.
- Where
- IIT Bombay, where Wakode was a second-year BTech student and was found in his hostel room.
- Why
- The investigation followed Wakode’s death after an alleged examination incident involving a mobile phone and ChatGPT; Rao also cited differences in student preparation, learning pace and language skills.
Defense and Systemic Reform
Allegations and Investigation
Treatment of Professor Doolla
Defense and Systemic Reform
V Ramgopal Rao said Doolla was a highly principled faculty member and that concerns should be examined fairly rather than through a public campaign. IIT Bombay’s Faculty Forum also said Doolla was performing his invigilation duties and followed prescribed procedures after detecting alleged malpractice.
Allegations and Investigation
Doolla was named in an FIR alleging abetment to suicide on grounds of caste discrimination and was removed from duties while IIT Bombay and Mumbai Police investigate.
Cause of Academic Pressure
Defense and Systemic Reform
Rao attributed broader problems to IITs’ one-size-fits-all approach, differing student preparation levels, coaching-based learning, varied JEE Advanced ranks and language challenges.
Allegations and Investigation
The death and the allegations are being investigated in the context of the examination incident, including the claim that Wakode used a phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam.
BTech Duration
Defense and Systemic Reform
Rao proposed a five-year programme so students needing more time could receive extra academic and language support without being singled out, while faster students could graduate in four years or possibly three and a half.
Allegations and Investigation
No opposing reform proposal was reported; the five-year structure remains Rao’s suggested solution rather than an announced IIT policy.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode was a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay.
- Death
- Wakode was found hanging in his hostel room on the evening of September 18.
- Examination incident
- He was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.
- IIT Bombay inquiry
- The institute appointed a 10-member high-level committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the death.
- Police investigation
- The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the case.
- Professor’s status
- Reports say Doolla was sent on leave or suspended from his Dean Students Welfare duties to facilitate an impartial probe.
- Proposed reform
- Rao suggested a five-year BTech programme, with students able to finish earlier if they meet credit requirements.
