The death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode on September 18 has led to a police investigation, an internal inquiry and student protests. His family has alleged caste-based harassment, while questions remain about an incident during a mid-semester examination shortly before he returned to his hostel. Investigators have not established what caused him to take his life.
Sahil was a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. Police are examining CCTV footage and witness statements to reconstruct his movements and his interaction with Professor Suryanarayana Doolla during the exam. Investigators are also reviewing digital evidence. Reports citing police sources say footage shows an interaction in the examination area, but it does not establish the specific allegation that Sahil uploaded a question paper to ChatGPT.
IIT Bombay initially said Sahil had used a phone during the examination and allegedly uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT for answers. The institute later apologised for its earlier communication, saying it had been inappropriate to characterise the events preceding his death before they were established through an investigation. Whether the alleged upload occurred remains an open question for investigators reviewing the available evidence.
Sahil’s parents have alleged that he experienced caste-based remarks and harassment at the institute. Following his father’s complaint, police registered an FIR that includes allegations under provisions concerning abetment of suicide and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The FIR records allegations for investigation; it is not a finding that Professor Doolla or anyone else caused Sahil’s death. IIT Bombay has disputed the allegation of caste discrimination and said Sahil had not submitted a complaint to its SC/ST cell or administration.
The Mumbai Crime Branch is investigating the examination incident, the reported interaction between Sahil and the professor, and the period before Sahil returned to his hostel. Accounts of precisely what was said, whether any disciplinary warning was given and whether earlier alleged harassment can be substantiated remain unresolved.
IIT Bombay has relieved Professor Doolla of an administrative role and sent him on leave while the case is examined. Its Board of Governors has also formed a 10-member committee headed by Professor Ramesh Venkateswaran of IIT Palakkad to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death. The panel has been asked to report within a week. Being named in an FIR or placed on leave does not establish guilt.
Students have protested on campus and submitted an 18-point charter seeking an independent inquiry and changes to disciplinary procedures, grievance handling and student support. Faculty representatives have called for a fair investigation and cautioned against conclusions before the evidence is assessed.
For now, the exam interaction, Sahil’s return to his hostel and his subsequent death form the broad sequence under investigation. The digital evidence, witness accounts and findings of the police and institute inquiry will be needed to answer the central questions.
