Archive · 22 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Dean Removed as Wakode Suicide Probe Expands
Sahil Wakode was a student at IIT Bombay who died by suicide on September 18.
He was found in a hostel room on the campus.
The institute earlier said he had been using a phone during an examination and had used ChatGPT to seek answers.
IIT Bombay later apologised for describing those events before investigators had confirmed them.
Wakode’s family said he had faced caste-based insults, threats and mental harassment.
Police are investigating these allegations, and they have not been proven.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was removed or suspended from his dean’s position while the investigation continues.
The Faculty Forum says Doolla was following examination procedures and remains a faculty member.
Students are asking for an independent inquiry and stronger mental-health and accountability measures.
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year Energy Science and Engineering student, died by suicide on September 18 in Hostel No. 4 at IIT Bombay’s Powai campus.
His family alleged caste-based abuse, threats and institutional harassment; an FIR named Professor Suryanarayana Doolla under abetment-to-suicide and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) provisions.
IIT Bombay removed or suspended Doolla from the Dean of Administrative Affairs post pending investigation, while the Faculty Forum said he remains an active faculty member.
The institute apologised for earlier statements claiming Wakode used a phone during an examination and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT, saying those circumstances had not been established.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the case, while students have submitted 18 demands and faculty members marched in support of Doolla.
- Who
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, his family, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, IIT Bombay, Mumbai Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch are involved.
- What
- Wakode’s death prompted allegations of caste-based harassment, an FIR naming Doolla, his removal or suspension from the deanship, protests and competing student and faculty responses.
- When
- Wakode died on September 18; Doolla was removed or suspended from the deanship on September 21, according to the reports.
- Where
- Wakode was found in Hostel No. 4 on IIT Bombay’s Powai campus in Mumbai.
- Why
- The FIR and institutional actions followed Wakode’s death, his family’s allegations and student demands for accountability; the circumstances remain under investigation.
Family and Student Accountability Demands
Faculty Forum’s Procedural Defense
Alleged harassment
Family and Student Accountability Demands
Wakode’s family alleged that he faced casteist slurs, threats and institutional or mental harassment over several months; these allegations remain under investigation.
Faculty Forum’s Procedural Defense
The Faculty Forum said Doolla was performing his official duties and following Senate-approved academic procedures, and called reports damaging his reputation false or misleading.
Examination incident
Family and Student Accountability Demands
Wakode’s family disputed the institute’s earlier account that he used a phone or uploaded the examination paper to ChatGPT, while the institute later apologised for characterising those events before investigation.
Faculty Forum’s Procedural Defense
The Faculty Forum said Doolla observed unauthorised smartphone use during the examination and reported the alleged malpractice according to established procedure.
Institutional response
Family and Student Accountability Demands
Students demanded Doolla’s suspension as a faculty member, an independent inquiry into four campus deaths by suicide, time-bound reports, greater student representation and improved mental-health support.
Faculty Forum’s Procedural Defense
IIT Bombay removed or suspended Doolla from the deanship pending investigation, while the Faculty Forum supported him and said he remains an active faculty member.
- Student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year BTech student in Energy Science and Engineering
- Date of death
- September 18
- Institute action
- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was removed or suspended from the Dean of Administrative Affairs post with immediate effect; further action is pending investigation
- Police case
- The FIR cites Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act
- Investigation
- The Mumbai Crime Branch took over the case under an ACP-rank officer
- Evidence review
- Investigators are examining Wakode’s mobile phone and the Hostel No. 4 scene; reports said no suicide note was found
- Student demands
- Students submitted 18 demands, including an independent inquiry, student representation and mental-health workshops for professors
Sources
IIT-Bombay Faculty March In Support Of Dean Suryanarayana Doolla Amid Student Suicide Row | Video
How IIT-Bombay student’s suicide has snowballed into caste row, leading to professor’s suspension
IIT Bombay Faculty Forum Backs Prof Doolla, Students Demand Suspension
IIT Bombay Removes Dean After Student's Suicide
IIT Bombay Removes Professor Suryanarayana Doolla As Dean Amid Sahil Wakode Suicide Row
IIT Bombay suspends Prof Doolla, withdraws claims on Sahil Wakode as Crime Branch takes over probe