IIT Bombay has taken fresh action following the death of BTech student Sahil Wakode, with Professor Suryanarayana Doolla being sent on leave and a 10-member committee being formed to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The decision was taken by the institute’s Board of Governors amid continuing protests and demands from students for an independent investigation into Wakode’s death. The committee has been asked to complete its inquiry and submit a report within one week.
The panel will be headed by Professor Ramesh Venkateswaran, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Palakkad. Student representatives are also part of the committee, including Hostel Affairs General Secretary Aditya Joshi, Student Mentor Programme Overall Coordinator Dev Arora and research scholar Devi Lal. Other members include experienced officials, including a retired IAS officer.
The latest action comes as the Mumbai Crime Branch continues its investigation into the case. Professor Doolla has been summoned for questioning by the Crime Branch on Wednesday. The agency had already recorded statements from Sahil’s parents and is examining CCTV footage, statements and other evidence to establish what happened before his death.
Professor Doolla sent on leave amid investigation
Doolla’s removal from his administrative position had already been announced earlier, but the latest decision goes further by sending him on leave while the inquiry is underway.
He has been named in an FIR following allegations made by Sahil’s family concerning caste-based discrimination and abetment of suicide. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been established by the authorities.
The institute had earlier apologised for parts of its initial communication about Sahil’s death, acknowledging that the circumstances surrounding the incident were still being investigated.
Crime Branch examining what happened in exam hall
The investigation has also focused on events inside the examination hall shortly before Sahil returned to his hostel.
CCTV footage from the examination period has reportedly emerged showing Professor Doolla asking Sahil to leave the exam hall. Police are examining the footage as part of their effort to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Sahil, a second-year BTech student, died by suicide on September 18. Reports said the incident occurred after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination. However, his family has disputed the account surrounding the examination and has alleged that Sahil had spoken to them about caste-based harassment.
His mother, Sonali Wakode, has alleged that her son told the family he was being humiliated and abused because of his caste. The family has also questioned the allegations concerning the examination and demanded action against those they hold responsible.
IIT Bombay students had raised 18 demands
The latest committee comes after sustained student protests on the IIT Bombay campus. Students had submitted an 18-point list of demands, including an independent investigation, changes to student welfare mechanisms and stronger mental-health support. A demand for a 24-hour psychiatrist on campus was also among the measures sought by students.
IIT Bombay had earlier agreed to the students’ charter following discussions between the administration and protesters. The Board of Governors has now moved to establish a formal internal panel to examine the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death.
IIT Bombay alumni call for fair investigation
The IIT Bombay Alumni Association has also called for a fair and speedy investigation, while cautioning against speculation or conclusions about individuals before the investigation is completed.
At the same time, faculty groups from other IITs have publicly expressed support for Professor Doolla and stressed the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed fairly.
The Crime Branch investigation and the IIT Bombay committee are now proceeding separately. Their findings are expected to help establish the sequence of events and examine the allegations made by Sahil’s family.
