IIT Bombay Professor Placed on Leave Amid Student's Alleged Suicide Investigation

Investigation into Student's Death

Mumbai, Sep 23: Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from IIT Bombay has been placed on leave as investigations continue regarding the alleged suicide of student Sahil Wakode, according to sources.

A case has been filed against Doolla, citing charges of abetment to suicide and caste discrimination following Wakode's tragic death.

Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student in the Energy Science and Engineering department, was discovered hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on September 18, shortly after he was reportedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester exam.

Sources indicate that Doolla, who was invigilating the exam, had informed the authorities about the mobile phone incident, adhering to institutional protocols.

Initial reports suggested that Wakode may have used his phone to upload exam questions to an AI platform. However, the institute later refrained from providing further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is anticipated to question Doolla as part of their inquiry into Wakode's death. Officials noted that Doolla's statement has yet to be recorded, although investigators have already interviewed the student's parents.

Sonali Wakode, the student's mother, has accused the professor of subjecting her son to humiliation and harassment based on caste. She claims that her son specifically mentioned Doolla and alleged that the professor made derogatory remarks regarding caste differences, which reportedly persisted for about three months.

These allegations are currently part of the investigation and have not been verified independently.

The parents of the deceased student have called for Doolla's immediate arrest in connection with their son's death. Previously, Doolla was removed from his role as Dean of Students’ Welfare at IIT Bombay.