Sahil Wakode Suicide Case: IIT Bombay Apologises, Professor Suryanarayana Doolla Suspended

IIT Bombay has suspended Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, the Dean of Student Affairs and the invigilator during the examination attended by student Sahil Wakode shortly before his death, amid protests on campus. The institute has also apologised for its earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death, saying it was inappropriate to characterise events before they were established through an investigation.

The development comes as the institute faces growing scrutiny over its handling of the case and demands from students for an independent inquiry. IIT Bombay has also categorically denied reports that its Director, Professor Shireesh Kedare, has resigned. Sahil Wakode Suicide Case: Mumbai Crime Branch Takes Over IIT Bombay Probe, SC/ST Act Invoked.

IIT Bombay Suspends Professor Suryanarayana Doolla

Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was suspended on the evening of September 20 after sustained student protests following Wakode’s death. Doolla was the invigilator during the examination in which Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone.

Doolla, a faculty member of IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, has previously served as Dean of Student Affairs. His name was also included in the FIR registered after Wakode’s family alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination. These allegations remain under investigation.

The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has separately expressed support for Doolla, saying he was performing his duties as an invigilator and had followed the institute’s prescribed procedure after detecting alleged examination malpractice. IIT Bombay Student Suicide Case: Mumbai Crime Branch Takes Over Probe After Parents Refuse To Claim Body.

Institute Apologises Over Earlier Statement on Sahil Wakode

IIT Bombay has now withdrawn the characterisation contained in its earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.

In a post on X, the institute said, “We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil. The details and circumstances leading up to the incident remain subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities. In view of the ongoing investigation, it was inappropriate to have set out or characterised details relating to the events preceding his demise before they had been duly established through the appropriate investigative process.”

Apology Issued Over Earlier Statement On Sahil’s Death

The clarification means that the institute is no longer presenting the details described in its earlier communication as established facts while the investigation is continuing.

IIT Bombay Retracts Earlier Characterisation of Cheating

The controversy followed the institute’s earlier account of the examination incident involving Wakode. IIT Bombay had said that Wakode was caught using a mobile phone during an examination and had allegedly uploaded the question paper to an AI platform to seek answers. The institute had also said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him before his death.

Following the apology, the institute has stressed that the circumstances leading to Wakode’s death remain subject to investigation and that conclusions about what happened before his death should not have been presented before being established through the appropriate process.

FIR and Crime Branch Investigation

A police case was registered following a complaint by Wakode’s parents. The FIR names Doolla along with other officials, and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were invoked following the family’s allegations of caste-based harassment. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch, according to reports.

The allegations made by Wakode’s family have not been established through the investigation. IIT Bombay had previously rejected allegations of caste-based discrimination and maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against the student.

IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare Has Not Resigned

Amid reports surrounding the institute’s response to the protests, IIT Bombay separately clarified the status of its Director, Professor Shireesh Kedare.

In a follow-up post on X, the institute stated, “Director IIT Bombay has NOT resigned. We categorically state that the related news is false.”

IIT Bombay Denies Director’s Resignation News

The clarification came after Kedare signed an 18-point charter of demands submitted by protesting students following discussions on September 20. The charter includes demands for an independent investigation, action against those found responsible, improvements to mental-health services and changes to institutional processes.

Students Demand Independent Probe and Institutional Reforms

Students have been protesting on the IIT Bombay campus following Wakode’s death and have sought an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The 18-point charter also calls for an open house with senior institute officials, stronger mental-health and medical support, greater student representation and changes to disciplinary procedures. Students have sought an implementation plan and periodic updates on the measures agreed to by the administration.

The institute is expected to discuss the details of the agreement with students, while the police investigation into Wakode’s death continues.

For now, the suspension of Doolla is an institutional action and does not by itself establish criminal liability. The allegations against him and the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death remain matters for the ongoing investigation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2026 01:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).