IIT-Bombay Professor Grilled for 10 Hours in Student Death Probe Amid Caste Bias Allegations
IIT-Bombay Professor Grilled for 10 Hours in Student Death Probe Amid Caste Bias Allegations
A professor at IIT-Bombay endured 10 hours of police questioning regarding the death of student Sahil Wakode, amid serious allegations of harassment and caste-based discrimination. Parents demand justice.
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) was questioned for nearly 10 hours by Mumbai police this week in connection with the tragic death of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode. The professor, who was removed as the dean of students' welfare and sent on leave, vehemently denied all charges of harassment and caste-based discrimination during his questioning, and his statement has been officially recorded.
The intense interrogation comes after Sahil Wakode was discovered dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, 2026. This tragic event unfolded just hours after he was reportedly caught using his mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination, an incident that has drawn significant scrutiny to the institute's policies and faculty conduct.
Wakode's parents have been at the forefront of the quest for justice, launching a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai.
They have lodged a complaint with the Powai police, leading to an FIR being registered against Professor Doolla.
Their allegations extend beyond individual harassment, claiming systemic caste discrimination within the prestigious institution and demanding the arrest of both Professor Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare. The crime branch has taken over the investigation, meticulously recording statements from approximately 40 individuals, including the student's parents, fellow students, friends, and various institute and hostel staff members.
The police are also expected to summon Director Kedare soon to record his statement as the inquiry progresses. In response to the escalating crisis, IIT Bombay's board has constituted a 10-member committee to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr.
Wakode's death and the broader allegations of caste bias.
The case highlights a deeper, often hidden, issue of caste bias within India's premier educational institutions, prompting calls for greater accountability and reform.
#IITBombay #SahilWakode #CasteDiscrimination #StudentJustice
