Archive · 20 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Student Death Prompts FIR, Crime Branch Probe
Sahil Wakode was a second-year student at IIT Bombay.
He died by suicide on September 18, 2026, after an incident during an examination.
IIT Bombay said he was found using a phone and ChatGPT during the exam.
The institute said teachers counselled him and told him the incident would not damage his academic future.
Sahil’s father said a professor had used caste-based insults and threatened him.
Police filed a case so these allegations and the death could be investigated.
The case was later transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch.
IIT Bombay denied caste discrimination, and the allegations have not yet been independently proven.
Sahil Wakode, a second-year Energy Science and Engineering student, died by suicide in his IIT Bombay hostel room on September 18, 2026.
His father alleged that Professor Suryanarayan Dulla subjected Sahil to caste-based slurs, harassment and threats over roughly three months.
Mumbai Police registered an FIR against Dulla and unidentified or other IIT officials under abetment-to-suicide and SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act provisions.
The investigation was transferred from Powai Police to the Mumbai Crime Branch after the family and protesting students demanded action and a transparent inquiry.
IIT Bombay said Sahil was found using a phone and uploading an examination paper to ChatGPT, but said he was counselled and no disciplinary action had begun.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode; his parents Ravindra and Sonali Wakode; Professor Suryanarayan Dulla; IIT Bombay officials; protesting students; Mumbai Police; and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
- What
- A student’s death by suicide is being investigated alongside allegations of caste-based harassment and questions about the institute’s handling of an examination incident.
- When
- Sahil died on September 18, 2026; the FIR was registered and the investigation was transferred on September 19, 2026.
- Where
- IIT Bombay’s Powai campus in Mumbai, including an examination hall and Sahil’s hostel room.
- Why
- The investigation followed a complaint alleging caste-based abuse, threats and harassment, as well as questions about what happened after Sahil was allegedly found with a phone during an exam.
Family and Student Allegations
IIT Bombay’s Account
Caste-based harassment
Family and Student Allegations
Sahil’s father alleged that Dulla subjected his son to caste-based slurs and mental harassment for about three months, allegedly with direction from Director Shireesh B Kedare. A classmate also alleged casteist remarks during the examination. These claims remain unproven.
IIT Bombay’s Account
IIT Bombay denied caste-based discrimination. Director Shireesh B Kedare said caste-related student information was not available to professors or administrators, and the institute said Sahil had not filed a related complaint with its SC/ST cell or administration.
Events during the examination
Family and Student Allegations
The family, citing students, alleged that Sahil was threatened with suspension and questioned how a phone could have entered a closely checked examination hall. Students also questioned why he was counselled if no disciplinary action was planned.
IIT Bombay’s Account
IIT Bombay said Sahil was found using a mobile phone and had uploaded the examination paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. The institute said the instructor, faculty adviser and Head of Department counselled him and assured him the incident would not harm his academic career.
Accountability and investigation
Family and Student Allegations
Sahil’s family sought arrests, Crime Branch oversight, legal assistance, compensation and a fast-track trial. Students protested and demanded accountability, including calls for the director’s resignation.
IIT Bombay’s Account
Police said the Crime Branch would investigate the allegations and the circumstances of Sahil’s death. IIT Bombay said it would cooperate with authorities and urged people to avoid speculation while the inquiry continued.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, also reported as Sahil Vakode or Sahil Wankhade, was a second-year student in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
- Age
- Reports described Sahil as either 20 or 22 years old.
- Examination incident
- IIT Bombay said Sahil allegedly used a mobile phone and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT during an examination.
- Family allegations
- Ravindra Wakode alleged that Professor Suryanarayan Dulla used caste-based slurs, caused mental harassment and threatened to falsely implicate Sahil.
- FIR provisions
- The FIR cited abetment to suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
- Investigation
- The case was transferred from Powai Police to the Mumbai Crime Branch, with an assistant commissioner of police-rank officer reported to be handling it.
- Institute response
- IIT Bombay denied caste discrimination, said no related complaint had been filed with its SC/ST cell or administration, and said no disciplinary action had been initiated.
Sources
IIT Bombay student death: Father alleges professor made 'casteist slurs', police file FIR
FIR filed day after IIT Bombay student dies by suicide, parents allege caste bias
FIR filed against IIT-B professor after student dies by suicide, parents allege caste discrimination
IIT Bombay Student Suicide Case: Father Alleges Casteist Slurs, Crime Branch Takes Over Probe
IIT-Bombay Student Suicide Case: Father Alleges Caste Harassment; FIR Filed, Probe Transferred To Crime Branch
'Caste-Based Slurs Hurled': IIT Bombay Suicide Case Takes New Turn, Crime Branch Takes Over Probe
