IIT Bombay forms panel to probe student’s death

IIT Bombay has formed a ten-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Ravindra Wakode on September 18, 2026. The institute's Board established the panel, and Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been named in the case and placed on leave to ensure a bias-free inquiry. The Mumbai Police have transferred the probe into Wakode's death to their Crime Branch, with an Assistant Commissioner of Police leading the investigation and a Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection-I) supervising it.

The case has been registered at the Powai police station. Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found dead in his hostel room the evening of September 18, 2026, after being caught using a phone to access ChatGPT during an examination. His father lodged a complaint against Doolla, leading to the inclusion of charges of abetment of suicide and offenses under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The Crime Branch is now examining the circumstances leading to Wakode's death, including his movements and the events preceding his demise, with a commitment to thoroughness and impartiality. The Mumbai Police has urged the public and media to refrain from speculation and misinformation until all facts are established, and has directed local helplines for suicidal thoughts to Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.