IIT-B student suicide case: Prof Doolla sent on leave, CB to question him

IIT Bombay has sent Professor Suryanarayana Doolla on leave and constituted a 10-member panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the death by suicide of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Wakode.

The development comes as the Mumbai Crime Branch steps up its investigation into the case and prepares to question Doolla, who was involved in the examination incident preceding Sahil’s death.

The panel, headed by Professor Ramesh Venkateswaran, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Palakkad, will examine the circumstances leading to Sahil’s death and submit its report within a week.

Separately, the Mumbai Crime Branch has summoned Doolla for questioning. Investigators are expected to record his statement as they piece together the events leading up to Sahil’s death.

The Crime Branch had earlier recorded statements from Sahil’s parents. The investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch after Mumbai Police registered an FIR following a complaint by the family, which included allegations of caste-based harassment. The allegations have not been established and remain under investigation.

CCTV footage being examined

Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the examination hall, IIT Bombay campus and hostel to reconstruct Sahil’s movements on September 18, the day he died.

Fresh footage reviewed by investigators shows Sahil being questioned during an examination and leaving the examination hall between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm. The Crime Branch is now tracing his movements after he left the examination venue and reached his hostel room at around 1:25 pm.

IIT Bombay had initially said Sahil was found using a mobile phone during the examination and had allegedly uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

The institute later apologised for its communication, saying it was inappropriate to characterise the circumstances preceding Sahil’s death before the facts had been established through an investigation.

Family alleges caste-based harassment

Sahil’s family has alleged that he faced caste-based harassment and pressure on campus.

His father has demanded the arrest of Professor Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare, alleging that his son was subjected to caste-related remarks and threats before his death.

The allegations are part of the ongoing police investigation and have not been established.

Professor Rajkumar S Pant, president of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum, has disputed the allegations. Speaking to India Today, Pant said there was no confirmed evidence of caste-related remarks by Doolla and that conclusions should be drawn only after the inquiry is completed.

Faculty Forum backs Doolla

The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has defended Doolla, saying he was performing his duties as an invigilator during the examination.

Pant also clarified that Doolla had not been suspended as a faculty member and continued to remain an IIT Bombay professor, although he was relieved of his administrative responsibilities.

The latest developments come as students continue to protest and demand an independent investigation, along with reforms in disciplinary procedures, grievance redressal mechanisms and student support systems.

The Crime Branch and IIT Bombay’s internal panel are examining CCTV footage, statements and other available evidence to establish the sequence of events leading up to Sahil’s death.

While the institute’s panel is expected to submit its findings within a week, the Crime Branch investigation will continue separately.