Mumbai police question IIT-Bombay professor Doolla for 10 hours over student Sahil Wakode’s death

Mumbai police interrogated Suryanarayana Doolla, an Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) professor, for approximately ten hours in connection with the death of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, an official announced on October 3, 2026. Doolla, who is accused of harassment and caste-based discrimination by Wakode's parents, vehemently denied the allegations during the questioning on Thursday, October 1, 2026, with his statement officially documented.

Wakode was discovered deceased in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, 2026, following an alleged incident where he accessed ChatGPT using his mobile phone during a mid-semester exam. A First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Wakode's father against Doolla, based on the complaint lodged by the student's family. The parents, currently on a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai demanding justice for their son, have alleged caste discrimination at IIT Bombay and demanded the arrest of Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare.

The police crime branch, leading the investigation, has recorded statements from around 40 individuals, including the parents, students, friends, and staff from the institute and hostel, as of now. The police are anticipated to summon Kedare soon to record his statement in relation to the case. The IIT Bombay board has already formed a 10-member committee to probe the circumstances surrounding Wakode's death.

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