Sahil Wakode’s father seeks arrests over alleged harassment (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: The father of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide, has demanded the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and Director Shireesh Kedare, alleging that his son faced caste-based harassment and pressure before his death.
Sahil, 22, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after an incident during a mid-semester examination. The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and examining CCTV footage from the examination hall, campus and hostel.
Speaking to the media, Sahil’s father, Ravindra Wakode, said, “My son was studying at IIT, and then I got a call that he had committed suicide. Dean Kedare and Doolla should be arrested.”
He alleged that his son had been under pressure from Doolla since last year.
“He was tortured, that should be investigated, I trust the crime branch and Suryanarayana Doolla and Dean Kedare should be arrested, my son was being targeted and casteism slurs were used against him and he was threatened that he would be targeted and action will be taken,” he said.
The family has also alleged that Sahil had spoken to his father about caste-related remarks before his death.
“My son had told me on the 13th, when I visited him, I told him that IIT is very difficult and somehow manage. Doolla would say that he is upper caste and you are of lower caste,” Ravindra said.
“He was being pressured and targeted by Doolla since last year,” he added.
These allegations have been made by Sahil’s family and are part of the ongoing investigation. An FIR registered following his father’s complaint names Doolla and invokes provisions relating to abetment to suicide and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. IIT Bombay has denied caste-based discrimination on campus.
A senior Crime Branch source said Doolla’s statement had not yet been recorded and that he was likely to be called for questioning. The source also said there was no “clean chit” or finding of “no evidence” against the professor at this stage, as the investigation remained underway.
Sahil’s death occurred hours after he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during an examination. IIT Bombay had initially said he uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
The institute later apologised for that communication, saying it was inappropriate to characterise the circumstances preceding Sahil’s death before the facts had been established through an investigation.
His father has questioned the institute’s account of cheating.
“Regarding the cheating in the exam, they should provide evidence,” he said.
“You didn't check him and say that he was cheating. I have lost my son, you demand their arrest under the Atrocities Act,” he added.
Fresh CCTV footage from the examination hall, reportedly covering the period between around 12.30 pm and 12.45 pm, is now being examined by the Crime Branch. Reports say the footage shows Doolla questioning Sahil and taking him away from other students. Sahil was later seen returning to his hostel at around 1.25 pm, according to reports.
Ravindra also rejected suggestions that his son had been facing academic difficulties.
“He was a studious student,” he said.
The family has maintained that Sahil performed well academically and that the allegations surrounding him should not be treated as established facts until the investigation is completed.
The case was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch amid protests on the IIT Bombay campus. Investigators are examining CCTV footage and other material to reconstruct Sahil’s movements and establish the sequence of events between the examination and his death.
Meanwhile, IIT Bombay has removed Doolla from his responsibilities as Dean of Administrative Affairs, although he continues as faculty. The institute has also agreed to consider an 18-point charter submitted by students, including demands for an independent investigation, changes to disciplinary procedures, greater student representation and stronger counselling and mental-health support.
The investigation into Sahil’s death and the allegations raised by his family remain ongoing.
