IIT Bombay’s Board of Governors has asked Professor Suryanarayana Doolla to go on leave amid mounting scrutiny over the death of BTech student Sahil Wakode. The Board has also constituted a high-level 10-member committee to examine the circumstances and events that led to Wakode’s death. The panel has been asked to submit its report within 10 days.
The development comes days after IIT Bombay faculty extended its support to Prof Doolla, who had reported Wakode for allegedly using a mobile phone and uploading a question paper to ChatGPT during an examination. The institute had earlier said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against the student and that the incident would not affect his academic or professional career.
However, following three days of student protests and growing demands for accountability after Wakode’s suicide, pressure now appears to be mounting on the institute administration.
Sources have also said that the Mumbai Crime Branch has summoned Prof Doolla for questioning. The development comes a day after investigators recorded statements from Sahil Wakode’s parents as part of the inquiry into the student’s death.
IIT Bombay alumni seek fair probe into student’s suicide
The IIT Bombay Alumni Association (IITBAA) has demanded a fair and speedy investigation into the case and said there should be no “media trial”, speculation or “nasty conclusions” directed at any individual.
Sahil’s parents have demanded the immediate arrest of IIT Bombay Director Professor Shirish Kedare and Doolla, who has been removed as the dean of Administrative Affairs following protests by students and political activists. A case on charges of abetment and caste discrimination has been registered against Doolla.
IITBAA, in a statement on Tuesday, said the institute was going through an extremely difficult period, and its students, faculty members and staff deserve an environment that is equitable, inclusive, safe, and supportive of their well-being.
“We fully support a fair, transparent, and speedy investigation into this tragic event, and urge that all procedures be conducted with complete fairness and without prejudice. We strongly appeal against online speculation, media trials, or nasty conclusions directed at any individual,” it said.
“We stand ready to collaborate with the institute to strengthen mental health resources, support campus well-being, and help rebuild trust across our entire community,” the statement added.
Sahil Wakode (22), a second-year B Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18 evening, hours after being caught allegedly using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.