IIT Bombay Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, Named in Student Suicide Controversy, Sent on Leave

Mumbai: IIT Bombay Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been sent on leave amid an investigation into the alleged suicide of second-year student Sahil Wakode, sources told NDTV on Wednesday.

Police have registered a case against Doolla on allegations of abetment of suicide and caste-based discrimination. The professor is expected to appear before the police today as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death. IIT Bombay removed Doolla from his position as dean of Administrative Affairs on Monday following student protests demanding accountability over the incident. Sahil Wakode, 22, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18 evening.

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IIT Bombay Student Death: Caste Allegations and ChatGPT Row

His death occurred hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during an examination. Wakode’s mother, Sonali Wakode, has accused Professor Doolla of repeatedly humiliating and abusing her son based on his caste. She claimed that Sahil had told the family about alleged harassment over several months. According to his mother, Doolla allegedly told Sahil, “I am from an upper caste and you are from a lower caste.” She said her son described the alleged mistreatment during a family visit to his hostel on September 13. Sonali also questioned IIT Bombay’s initial statement that her son had cheated during an examination using ChatGPT.

She demanded evidence supporting the allegations and challenged the institute’s account of the events preceding his death. On Monday, IIT Bombay withdrew its earlier statements and apologised for presenting details that investigators had not yet established. The institute said authorities should determine the circumstances through an appropriate investigative process. Meanwhile, IIT Bombay Faculty Forum president Rajkumar Pant said Sahil had not recently approached the institute’s SC/ST cell with a complaint. The investigation continues as student protests raise concerns about campus welfare, accountability and the treatment of students from marginalised communities. People experiencing emotional distress can seek support through the Vandrevala Foundation at 9999666555 or TISS iCall at 022-25521111.

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