‘They finished my son’: Father of IIT Bombay student who died by suicide

The institution said ‘no disciplinary action’ had been initiated against Wakode and that he received counselling. “… matter was also discussed with the student by the Head of the Department, who assured him the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.” Sahil Wakode, however, was found dead in his hostel room later that day.

And as word of his death spread on campus, more than 400 students gathered near the main building of the institute and raised slogans against the administration. The protest is in its third day now and, not unexpectedly, has turned political, with members from the Congress’ youth wing joining the student-led agitations.

Police detain student activists as they protest in the Sahil Wakode suicide case, outside IIT-B Powai campus, in Mumbai on 21 September 2026. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

The principal target of their anger – Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was overseeing the examination in question. Protesting students have demanded Doolla be suspended – with immediate effect – from his professorship.

IIT Bombay students target Prof Doolla over Sahil Wakode suicide

Thus far, however, IIT Bombay has only removed Doolla from his post as Dean (Administrative Affairs).

The police, meanwhile, have filed a case naming Doolla after Sahil Wakode’s parents filed a complaint; they have claimed their son was a victim of caste-based discrimination by the professor.

Ravindra Wakode claimed Doolla had mocked, tortured, and discriminated against his son on the basis of his caste.

Doolla faces charges under the SC/ST Act, as well that of abetment to suicide.

IIT Bombay faculty back Prof Doolla in student suicide row

However, the IIT Bombay faculty has come out in support of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla.

In a statement issued Monday evening, the Faculty Forum of IIT Bombay said it was ‘distressed by the vilification of our colleague’s reputation by false and misleading reports that have appeared in the media’.

The suspension of Doolla was among 18 demands submitted by the students, who have also criticised the administration for revealing details from Wakode’s disciplinary committee hearing; i.e., he was allegedly caught using ChatGPT.

Protesting students pushback, IIT Bombay apologises

Throwing accusations against a student unable to defend himself amounts to defamation, one student raged.

In response to students’ anger on this issue, IIT Bombay issued an apology; on X it said: “The circumstances leading up to the incident remain subject to 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.”

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…

— IIT Bombay (@iitbombay) September 21, 2026

On Sahil Wakode’s death, IIT Bombay said it had been left ‘deeply saddened by the loss of a student’.