IIT Bombay suspends professor Doolla’s deanship amid probe, apologises over claims on Wakode's death

Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Bombay, has suspended the deanship of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla with immediate effect amid the ongoing investigation into the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode. In an email to students, Director Prof Shireesh B Kedare said that any further action against Doolla would be taken after the investigation. Doolla was the invigilator during the examination-related incident involving Sahil Wakode and was subsequently named in the FIR filed following the student's death.

In a latest update, IIT Bombay has apologised for statements made in its earlier communication regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of second-year student Wakode. The institute said the details and circumstances leading up to the incident remain under investigation and acknowledged that it was inappropriate to characterise events preceding his death before they were established through the appropriate investigative process. In a separate post, IIT Bombay also denied reports claiming that Director Prof Shireesh B Kedare had resigned.

Before this, IIT Bombay Faculty Forum on September 20 defended Doolla, saying that he was carrying out his responsibilities as an invigilator and following Senate-approved academic policies.

Wakode, a student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, died by suicide on September 18. IIT Bombay earlier said he was caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers. The institute issued a statement claiming that no disciplinary action was initiated against him and that he was counselled by the instructor and the Head of Department.

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September 18: Student allegedly caught using ChatGPT

According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was found using a mobile phone during the examination and had uploaded the question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers. The institute said the matter was discussed with Wakode by the instructor and the Head of Department and he was counselled as well as assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career. In a statement issued on the same day, the institute specifically stated that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student.

Wakode subsequently returned to his hostel room and was later found dead in his room. The circumstances surrounding his death were stated to be under investigation. Hours after the death, a section of students questioned the circumstances surrounding the examination incident and the institute's handling of the matter.

His death triggered protests on campus. Students and the deceased's family raised allegations concerning the handling of the examination incident, academic pressure and caste discrimination. An FIR was subsequently registered against professor and invigilator Suryanarayana Doolla. On September 20, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum issued a statement supporting Doolla and said he had acted in accordance with Senate-approved academic policies.

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September 19: Students protest on campus

On the next day, around 700 students gathered and marched towards the institute's main gate demanding accountability from the administration and raised concerns about the disciplinary process allegedly followed after Wakode was caught during the examination.

Some students alleged that Doolla had threatened Wakode with a year's suspension. However, it differed from IIT Bombay's statement that no disciplinary action had been initiated.

Students also alleged that the prescribed disciplinary procedure had not been followed. One student told Careers360 that, according to their understanding of the process, an answer sheet should first be taken away and a new sheet provided to allow the student to complete the examination, followed by consideration of the case by the relevant department and academic discipline committee.

The protest also brought broader concerns about the IIT Bombay campus environment into focus. Students cited academic competition, pressure to perform, limited opportunities, counselling mechanisms and the overall campus environment. Some students and the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle also raised allegations concerning casteism and mistreatment.

While some protesters demanded accountability from the administration, another student urged restraint and said the situation should not become an “Administration vs. students” confrontation.

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September 20: Parents allege caste discrimination, FIR registered

Wakode's parents subsequently alleged that their son had faced caste-based discrimination and harassment before his death. A case was registered at Powai police station under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, dealing with abetment of suicide, along with relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Doolla, the professor who was the invigilator during the examination, was named in the FIR. The student's family alleged caste-based harassment, while IIT Bombay denied caste discrimination.

Later that day, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum issued a statement expressing solidarity with Doolla. According to the Faculty Forum, Doolla was invigilating the mid-semester examination from 11 am to 1 pm on September 18 when he observed a student allegedly possessing and using a smartphone without authorisation.

The investigation have been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.