IIT Bombay professor sent on leave as crime branch probes student's death

IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla, named in a case over the death of student Sahil Wakode, has been sent on leave so that the investigation remains impartial, sources said on Wednesday.

The move follows the institute's decision on Monday to relieve him of his role as dean of administrative affairs, after protests broke out on campus over the student's death. According to the sources, no classes are currently being held, and the leave is intended to keep the inquiry free of interference.

Wakode, 22, was a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. He was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, officials said.

The Mumbai Crime Branch is handling the investigation into the circumstances of his death. A case invoking charges of abetment of suicide and caste discrimination has been registered against Doolla.

On Tuesday, Wakode's mother said he had told the family that he was tortured, abused and humiliated because of his caste. His parents have demanded the immediate arrest of IIT Bombay director Shirish Kedare and Doolla.

The death has drawn wider attention, with the institute issuing an apology for an earlier statement on the circumstances surrounding the student's death and deciding to replace ceiling fans in hostels with wall-mounted ones. Political parties have also weighed in, with the Congress accusing the Centre of withholding data on student suicides at IITs.