Mumbai Police sources indicate that the Crime Branch’s preliminary investigation into the death of IIT Bombay second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode has so far not found concrete evidence establishing Professor Suryanarayana Doolla’s role in abetment to suicide. Investigators have also not found eyewitness confirmation of any casteist remarks allegedly made against the student.
https://twittwr.com/RShivshankar/status/2102358568674713679
The allegations of caste-based remarks, made by Sahil’s parents in their complaint, remain part of the ongoing investigation.
According to police sources, some eyewitnesses stated that Professor Doolla was assigned examination-supervision duty on the day of the incident.
During the mid-semester examination on September 18, 2026, Doolla allegedly noticed Sahil with a mobile phone and asked him to step outside the classroom.
Sahil was then taken to the Head of Department, where another professor was also present, based on statements recorded by police.
The Crime Branch has recorded the statements of Sahil’s father and mother. Professor Doolla’s statement has not yet been recorded; officials said he will soon be called for questioning.
Mumbai Crime Branch will soon call Professor Doolla for questioning in the IIT Bombay suicide case. His statement has not yet been recorded. So far, the Crime Branch has recorded the statements of Sahil's father and mother: Mumbai Crime Branch pic.twitter.com/cCsBHMRxbd
— IANS (@ians_india) September 22, 2026
Two other professors present during the subsequent interaction have also been questioned. CCTV footage from the examination hall and campus is being examined as investigators reconstruct the sequence of events.
Officials have stressed that the probe is still at an early stage, no final conclusion has been reached, and all available evidence is under examination.
Sahil Wakode, a 22-year-old second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering from Yavatmal, Maharashtra, was found dead in his Hostel No. 4 room on the IIT Bombay Powai campus on September 18.
The incident occurred hours after the examination. An FIR was registered under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (abetment of suicide) and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act following a complaint by his father, Ravindra Wakode (also referred to as Chakradhar in some reports).
The case was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch, led by an ACP-rank officer.
CCTV footage under analysis
The Crime Branch is analysing CCTV feeds from the examination hall, campus grounds, and hostel premises to map Wakode’s movements.
Footage from approximately 12:30 pm to 12:45 pm (shortly before the exam ended at 1 pm) purportedly shows Wakode bending and looking at something in his pocket. Professor Doolla is seen questioning him and taking him aside, away from other students.
Wakode is then recorded outside the hall and entering his hostel room around 1:25 pm; he did not leave the room thereafter. No suicide note has been recovered so far. Investigators are cross-referencing multiple camera feeds and examining the student’s mobile phone for digital evidence.
Sources familiar with the footage have described the interaction in the examination hall as the professor questioning the student about the item in his pocket and then moving him aside from other examinees, consistent with standard invigilation protocols for suspected unauthorised use of a device.
Parents’ statements
Ravindra Wakode has demanded the arrest of Professor Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare, stating that his son was a bright student who had cracked the IIT Advanced exam and alleging prolonged targeting and harassment.
#WATCH | Mumbai: On the IIT Bombay suicide case, deceased Sahil Wakode's father, Ravindra Wakode, says, "I came to the Crime Branch today. My request to everyone is to complete the investigation as soon as possible and arrest those who are involved, namely Shireesh Kedare and… pic.twitter.com/3sjYk8L5Jl
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2026
He has maintained that his son was suffering and that the family had urged him to tolerate the situation at IIT with the hope that his future would be secure.
Sonali Wakode, the student’s mother, has called for justice, saying her son told them during a visit on the 13th that he was being tortured and subjected to casteist slurs.
#WATCH | Mumbai: On the IIT Bombay suicide case, deceased Sahil Wakode's mother, Sonali Wakode, says, "I have lost my child. I know the pain I am going through. Please give justice to my son. Please ensure justice for the atrocities committed against him. Why is it that Dalit… https://t.co/GsuXDr4J9S pic.twitter.com/CltDS4lfTP
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2026
She has expressed full faith in the Crime Branch, the administration and the Constitution, while stating that the family’s earlier decision to provide moral support and advise endurance was a mistake. These remain allegations under investigation and form part of the FIR.
Institutional response and growing support for the professor
IIT Bombay initially stated that Wakode was found using a mobile phone during the exam and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT.
The institute later apologised and withdrew certain characterisations of the incident. Professor Doolla was relieved of his deanship of Administrative Affairs (he continues as a faculty member).
The institute and its SC/ST Cell have stated that Wakode had not submitted any complaint of caste discrimination to the cell or administration in the preceding months.
Director Kedare has denied caste-based discrimination on campus, noting that caste-related information of students is confidential and not available for routine access.
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has backed Doolla, stating he was performing invigilation duties in line with institute procedures, that no prior similar accusations exist against him in a multi-decade career, and that no complaint had been lodged with the SC/ST Cell.
2nd statement from IIT Bombay Faculty Forum saying it "stands strongly with our colleague" Prof Doolla. Mentions his "accolades and awards" and that it is distressed by "villification of our colleague's reputation".
Suspension of deaniship only to aid unbiased probe, they say pic.twitter.com/fvhl0CjDvB
— Abhinay Lakshman (@al_lakshman) September 21, 2026
Faculty members from IIT Delhi have also expressed support, cautioning against premature or mob-driven action. Students at IIT Bombay have held protests in support of Professor Doolla following his removal from the deanship.
In a formal statement dated September 21, 2026 (Ref: FAIITM/2026S1), the Faculty Association of IIT Madras reportedly expressed deep sadness over the loss of the young student and extended heartfelt condolences to his parents, family, friends, classmates and the wider student community of IIT Bombay.
IIT Madras comes in support of Professor Suryanaryan Doolla.#IITBombayProtest #IIT_Bombay #ProfessorSuryanaryan #SuryaNarayan https://t.co/4AuJ0zyPic pic.twitter.com/lhtsKZ9IZU
— Raajeev Chopra (@Raajeev_Chopra) September 21, 2026
The association purportedly noted that the death of any student is a loss to the entire academic community and a reminder that institutions must keep the wellbeing of every student a central priority. This letter posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) by an unconnected account was purportedly signed by Prof. Ethayaraja Mani, President, Faculty Association IIT Madras. The authenticity of the same, however, could not be confirmed by The Organiser.
It referred to the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum’s position that Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, as course instructor and invigilator, acted in accordance with the Senate-approved academic procedures of the institute.
The statement emphasised that faculty members across the IIT system are entrusted with upholding the integrity of examinations and must be able to discharge this responsibility in good faith, following established institutional procedure, without fear of personal vilification.
The IIT Madras Faculty Association therefore urged that:
1. Any inquiry into the incident be conducted by the appropriate institutional and legal authorities in a fair, transparent and time-bound manner, with full respect for the dignity of the student and his family.
2. No individual be held responsible, publicly or in the media, before such a process has run its course, noting that premature conclusions, media trials and speculation, including on social media, cause lasting harm to all concerned and do not serve the cause of justice or the memory of the student.
3. The inquiry also look into whether institutional procedures for handling academic malpractice give students enough support, counselling and safeguards at moments of acute stress, so that such situations are handled with both integrity and compassion.
The association appealed to all stakeholders, students, faculty, administration, media and the public, to show restraint and sensitivity and to allow the process to establish the facts. It affirmed solidarity with the colleague at IIT Bombay and equally with the students and families of the institutions, whose wellbeing and trust form the foundation of academic work.
Supporters of Professor Doolla, including students who have interacted with him, have highlighted several points:
· no complaint was made against him to the IIT Bombay SC/ST Cell or the police prior to the incident;
· multiple testimonies from students (including some from the SC/ST community) affirming his character;
· the absence of independent evidence or witnesses provided for the specific accusations of casteist remarks; and
· his multi-decade career without similar accusations, even after being named in the FIR.
#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Students at IIT Bombay hold a protest in support of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been suspended from the deanship of IIT Bombay pic.twitter.com/t1JgYt0g4I
— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2026
Some have specifically questioned the allegation that caste-based abuses were hurled at the behest of the Director, describing it as implausible given the scale of IIT Bombay, which has over 10,000 students across programmes, a substantial number from SC/ST communities, and the practical realities of institutional functioning.
I stand with Prof. Suryanarayan Doolla
The facts are now out
1. No complaint was made against him to IITB SC/ST cell or the police.
2. Multiple testimonies(attached) from students who have interacted with him(including some from SC/ST community) confirming his character.
3. No… pic.twitter.com/0bPiJ3J3bj— Aryamman Bhatia (@aryamman_bhatia) September 21, 2026
They have argued that the professor was carrying out his assigned duties as invigilator and course instructor and that a presumption of innocence should apply while the investigation proceeds.
The investigation remains ongoing.
No arrests have been reported as of the latest updates, and authorities continue to examine all available evidence, including CCTV recordings, digital material from the student’s phone, and statements from relevant individuals, before determining responsibility.
The Crime Branch has maintained that the probe is at an early stage and that no final conclusions have been drawn.
