IIT Bombay Denies Director's Resignation, Issues Apology For Earlier Statement On Sahil Wakode’s Death: 'Details Remain Under Investigation'

Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu expressed solidarity with an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay professor who was accused of hurling casteist slurs at a student, who subsequently committed suicide. Vembu shared a post on X supporting the professor, Suryanarayana Doolla, and stated that he should not face any consequences. Doolla was booked under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly threatening the student with suspension after he allegedly used his phone during an examination and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT for answers.

The student, Sahil Ravindra Wakode, died by hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room. Wakode's parents and some students claimed that the professor had taken him out of the exam hall and threatened him with suspension. However, IIT-Bombay claimed that no disciplinary action was taken against the student. Wakode's family alleged institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination prior to his death.

Wakode's mother said "My son was killed, tortured. I want justice" and filed a formal police complaint. A case was registered under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act. The Mumbai Police transferred the case to the Crime Branch. This incident is the third reported suicide at IIT Bombay in seven months.