Mumbai police question IIT Bombay professor over student’s death

Mumbai police questioned Indian Institute of Technology Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla for nearly 10 hours in connection with the death of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, an official said. Doolla’s statement was recorded on Thursday, October 1, according to the official. The professor denied allegations made by Wakode’s parents, who have accused him of harassment and caste-based discrimination.

Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on the evening of September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination. The circumstances are being investigated by Mumbai police’s crime branch. An FIR was registered by Powai police following a complaint from Wakode’s father.

Wakode’s parents have demanded the arrest of Doolla and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare, while staging a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai seeking justice for their son. The crime branch has recorded statements from about 40 people, including Wakode’s parents, students, friends, institute personnel and hostel staff. The police are also likely to summon Kedare to record his statement, the official said.

The allegations against Doolla and Kedare have not been established. Doolla has denied the charges, and the material supplied does not report any arrest in the case. Separately, IIT Bombay’s board has constituted a 10-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death.

The police investigation and the institute inquiry are continuing. The report also noted that counselling is available through Tele-MANAS on 14416 for people in distress.