The Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST) cell of IIT Bombay did not receive any complaint from late Sahil Wakode in the three to four months before his death, a professor at the institute said. Wakode died by suicide on September 18 after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during an examination.
Professor Rajkumar Pant, while responding to allegations of casteist remarks against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla made by Wakode’s family, said he spoke to IIT Bombay Deputy Director Professor Ravindra Gudi about the matter. According to Pant, Gudi confirmed that the SC/ST cell had not received any complaint from Wakode.
“He (Professor Gudi) confirmed to me that the SC/ST cell issued a notice-stating that there was absolutely no attempt by the late Sahil to approach the cell over the last three or four months. No complaint was recorded by him-forget about a formal complaint; he had not even approached the SC/ST cell for anything,” Professor Pant said.
Pant said the professor (Doola) had earlier served as Dean of Student Affairs before becoming Dean of Academic Affairs. He said Doolla was known to be helpful to students and that his actions during the examination were part of enforcing institutional rules.
“There are some situations where one has to act firmly, and he acted firmly as per the rules. But I am personally convinced that he is not the kind of person who would indulge in these kinds of acts. I see no merit in this claim,” Pant said.
Crime Branch Examines CCTV Footage
The Mumbai Crime Branch is examining CCTV footage from the examination hall, IIT Bombay campus and hostel to reconstruct Wakode’s movements on the day of his death. An official said the footage is being examined by investigators and has not been shown or released to others.
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According to the investigation, CCTV footage recorded Wakode inside the examination hall between 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm on September 18. Investigators are examining the sequence after he was allegedly seen bending down to look at something kept in his pocket, with around 15 minutes of the examination remaining.
The investigation is also tracking Wakode’s movements after he left the examination hall. Police have been examining footage from the campus and hostel as part of the effort to establish a timeline before his death. The Crime Branch has also searched his hostel room and conducted a panchnama as part of the probe.
Meanwhile, the incident has led to protests on the IIT Bombay campus, with students raising concerns about institutional procedures, student welfare and grievance redressal. Student representatives have said their demands are not meant to justify academic misconduct or presume Doolla’s guilt, while seeking an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.
On September 21, IIT Bombay temporarily relieved Doolla of his responsibilities as Dean of Administrative Affairs amid the ongoing investigation. The institute clarified that the action concerned his administrative position and that he continues to serve as a faculty member.
Wakode’s family, meanwhile, has alleged caste-based harassment and questioned the circumstances leading up to his death. An FIR has been registered under provisions including the SC/ST Act, and the investigation has been transferred to the Crime Branch. The allegations remain under investigation.
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