IIT-Bombay student death case: Dean Professor removed
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Demonstrators stage a candlelight protest to pay tribute to deceased students of IIT-Bombay, in Mumbai, on Sept. 21, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay on Monday (September 21, 2026) said Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla has been removed from the Dean's post with immediate effect, days after a student's death.
The institute's Director, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, in an official mail, said that Prof. Doolla, presently serving as Dean (Administrative Affairs), has been removed from the post, as per officials.
"Any further action will be taken after investigation," the Director added.
Earlier, Prof Doolla served as Dean (Student Affairs).
Sahil Ravindra Wakode (22), a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hotel room on the IIT-Bombay's Powai campus on Friday (September 18, 2026) evening. In an initial statement, IIT-Bombay alleged that he was caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.
His family alleged that Wakode, a native of Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, was subjected to institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination before he took the extreme step, which triggered a protest by students on the campus.
The protesters claimed that Wakode faced severe pressure and threats of academic suspension.
Following a complaint by the student's parents, the police on Saturday (September 19, 2026) registered an FIR on charges of abetment of suicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. A professor has been named as an accused in the case, which is being investigated by the Crime Branch, according to the police.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050).
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