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The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has apologised for its earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding the death by suicide of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode and suspended Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from his administrative position with immediate effect.
The developments came after three days of protests on the IIT Bombay campus, with students demanding an independent investigation, accountability from institute officials and changes to the institution’s academic and disciplinary systems. The institute said that any further action against Professor Doolla would be taken after the ongoing investigation.
Professor Doolla’s Deanship Suspended
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was previously Dean of Student Affairs and is currently Dean of Administrative Affairs, was the invigilator during the examination involving Sahil Wakode shortly before his death.
IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare communicated the decision to students on Monday. The institute said the deanship of Professor Doolla had been suspended with immediate effect, while further action would depend on the findings of the investigation.
Professor Doolla has also been named in the FIR registered by Mumbai Police following a complaint from Sahil’s parents. The family has alleged that their son faced caste-based discrimination and harassment. These allegations remain under investigation and have not been established as facts.
IIT Bombay Apologises for Earlier Statement
The institute also issued an apology over statements contained in its earlier communication regarding Sahil’s death.
In its revised position, IIT Bombay said that the circumstances leading to the student’s death remain subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities. The institute acknowledged that it was inappropriate to characterise events preceding the death before they had been established through the investigative process.
The apology followed criticism from protesting students, who argued that the institute’s earlier statement had publicly described allegations against a student who was no longer alive to respond to them.
What Happened Before Sahil’s Death
According to IIT Bombay’s earlier statement, Sahil was found using a mobile phone during an examination on September 18. The institute said he had uploaded the examination question paper to an artificial intelligence platform to seek answers.
The institute stated that the matter was discussed with the student by the examination instructor, faculty adviser and Head of Department. It said that no disciplinary action had been initiated and that Sahil was counselled and assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
He later returned to his hostel room and was found dead that evening.
However, students and Sahil’s family have presented allegations about what happened after he was found with the phone, including claims that he was threatened with suspension. These accounts conflict with the institute’s version, which said that no disciplinary action had been initiated. The exact circumstances are now being investigated by authorities.
FIR and Crime Branch Investigation
Mumbai Police registered a case following a complaint filed by Sahil’s father. The FIR includes allegations against Professor Doolla and other officials, including allegations related to caste-based harassment.
The investigation has been transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch. The family has alleged that Sahil faced harassment over a period of time, while IIT Bombay has said that its SC/ST cell had not received a complaint from Sahil alleging caste discrimination.
The institute has denied caste-based discrimination as an institutional practice and has said it will cooperate with the authorities investigating the case.
Students Submit 18-Point Demand Charter
The suspension and apology followed an 18-point charter submitted by protesting students. The demands include an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death, action concerning officials named in the case and reforms relating to academic procedures, disciplinary mechanisms and student welfare.
The institute’s director signed the charter following a meeting with students that lasted several hours on Sunday night. The administration was expected to discuss the demands further with the institute’s Board of Governors and communicate its decisions at an open-house meeting.
Students had specifically demanded the suspension of Professor Doolla. However, the institute’s decision currently concerns his administrative deanship. Protesters have argued that they wanted his suspension as a professor as well, meaning the latest action may not fully address their demand.
Questions Over Director’s Resignation
The controversy has also led to reports concerning IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare. During discussions with protesting students, reports emerged that Kedare had indicated he would step down after following the required institutional process.
However, IIT Bombay has subsequently clarified that reports claiming the director had already resigned were false. The institute continues to deal with the student demands and the investigation into Sahil’s death.
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Focus Shifts to Investigation and Campus Reforms
The latest developments have shifted attention towards the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death and the wider concerns raised by students about campus systems.
The case has highlighted questions about how examination violations are handled, how disciplinary information involving students is communicated publicly and how complaints concerning harassment or discrimination are addressed.
At present, the investigation has not established that any particular individual caused or abetted Sahil’s death. The allegations against Professor Doolla and other officials will have to be examined by the appropriate authorities before conclusions can be drawn.
For IIT Bombay, the immediate priorities are responding to the student demands, cooperating with the police investigation and reviewing its communication and administrative processes. The institute’s apology and suspension of Professor Doolla’s deanship represent the first major institutional responses following the protests, while further decisions are expected after the ongoing investigations and internal review.
