IIT-B student suicide: Prof Doolla sent on leave, Crime Branch to question him today

Amid the ongoing probe into BTech student Sahil Wakode's death by suicide, IIT Bombay has sent Professor Suryanarayan Doolla on leave and constituted a 10-member panel to examine the case. The Mumbai Crime Branch has also summoned Doolla for questioning, a day after recording statements from Sahil's parents.

In Short

• IIT Bombay sent Professor Suryanarayan Doolla on leave
• A 10-member panel formed to investigate Sahil's suicide circumstances
• Panel to submit report within a week

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

The panel, headed by Professor Ramesh Venkateswaran, Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Palakkad, will investigate the circumstances leading to the death of 22-year-old Wakode and submit its report within a week.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Crime Branch has summoned Professor Doolla for questioning in connection with the case. His statement is expected to be recorded as investigators examine the events leading up to Sahil’s death.

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

CCTV FOOTAGE UNDER INVESTIGATION

The Crime Branch is also 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 subsequently leaving the examination hall between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm. Investigators are 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 the communication, saying it was inappropriate to characterise the circumstances preceding his death before an investigation had established the facts.

FAMILY ALLEGES CASTE-BASED HARASSMENT

Sahil’s family has alleged that he faced caste-based harassment and pressure on campus. His father has also 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. These allegations are part of the ongoing police investigation and have not been established.

The allegations have been disputed by Professor Rajkumar S Pant, president of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum. 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 Professor Doolla, saying he was carrying out his duties as an invigilator during the examination. Pant also clarified that Doolla had not been suspended as a faculty member and that he remained an IIT Bombay professor while being relieved of his administrative responsibilities.

The developments come amid continuing protests and demands from students for an independent investigation and reforms to disciplinary procedures, grievance redressal 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.

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

- Ends