Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch has interrogated IIT Bombay Professor Suryanarayana Doolla for approximately eight hours regarding the tragic suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode on the institute’s Powai campus last month.
Key Details of the Case
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The Incident: On September 18, Sahil Wakode was found hanging in his hostel room hours after being caught using a mobile phone during an examination.
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The Allegations: The student’s father, Ravindra Wakode, filed a police complaint resulting in an abetment-to-suicide case. The family alleged that Prof. Doolla subjected the student to caste discrimination and demanded his arrest.
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Administrative Action: Following the emergence of his name in the case, Prof. Doolla was removed from his position as the Dean of Students’ Welfare and sent on leave.
Interrogation & Institutional Response
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Professor’s Defense: During the eight-hour interrogation, Prof. Doolla denied the allegations, maintaining that he strictly adhered to institute guidelines and did not use any casteist slurs or humiliating language against the student. Police are currently verifying his statements against available evidence and witness testimonies.
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Exam Malpractice Context: CCTV footage from September 18 captured Prof. Doolla pulling Wakode aside after catching him with a mobile phone. Institute statements noted that Wakode had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT during the exam, though no formal disciplinary action had been initiated against him at the time.
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Faculty Support: The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum rallied behind Prof. Doolla, arguing that he was merely discharging his professional duties against exam malpractice and that vilifying faculty members sets a concerning precedent for the broader teaching community.
Mental Health Support Helplines
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or needs emotional support, please reach out to professional mental health services:
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Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 9999666555 | help@vandrevalafoundation.com
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TISS iCall: 022-25521111 (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
