IIT Bombay sets up 10-member panel to probe student's death; Crime Branch takes over case
IIT Bombay has formed a 10-member committee to probe the death of student Sahil Wakode, while Mumbai Police's Crime Branch has taken over the investigation.
IIT Bombay has constituted a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 20-year-old student at the institute, who was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, 2026. The panel was set up by the institute's Board on Wednesday, September 23.
The committee may question Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been named in the case, an official said. Prof. Doolla has been sent on leave to allow the inquiry to proceed without bias, sources said. On Monday, September 21, he was removed as Dean of Administrative Affairs following protests over Wakode's death.
Wakode was a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. According to the police, his body was found in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after institute authorities caught him using a phone to access ChatGPT during a semester examination.
The Powai police registered a First Information Report on September 19, based on a complaint filed by Ravindra Wakode, the student's father. The FIR named Prof. Doolla and included charges of abetment of suicide and provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Following this, the investigation was handed over to the Crime Branch.
The Crime Branch probe will be led by an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, with supervision by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection-I). Investigators have begun examining the circumstances around Wakode's death, including his movements and the events leading up to it. The police said multiple angles were being explored and that the inquiry was being conducted with diligence and impartiality, in accordance with the law.
The Mumbai Police has urged the public to avoid speculation, refrain from spreading misinformation and not draw conclusions before the facts are established. It has also asked the media to rely only on information released through official channels.
Classes have resumed at IIT Bombay.
Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.