Sahil Wakode case: IIT Bombay professor Doolla sent on leave for impartial probe

IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been sent on leave amid the investigation into the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode, with the move intended to facilitate an impartial probe, sources said on Wednesday.

Doolla was removed as Dean of Administrative Affairs on Monday following student protests over Wakode’s death. He has now been asked to remain on leave while the investigation continues. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is examining the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.

Wakode, a second-year BTech student in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18. The incident occurred hours after he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during an examination. IIT Bombay had initially linked the incident to alleged use of ChatGPT during the exam but later apologised for making statements about the circumstances of his death before they had been established through an investigation.

A case has been registered against Doolla over allegations including abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination. Wakode’s parents have alleged that their son faced caste-based harassment and humiliation before his death and have demanded the arrest of Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare. The allegations remain under investigation.

The Crime Branch is reviewing CCTV footage and recording statements to reconstruct the events leading up to Wakode’s death.

with inputs from PTI