IIT-Bombay Prof Doolla questioned 8 hours by Mumbai Crime Branch in Sahil Wakode suicide case
Synopsis
Mumbai Crime Branch questioned IIT-Bombay's Professor Suryanarayan Doolla for eight hours in the Sahil Wakode suicide case — and he denied every allegation. With 50 statements recorded, CCTV footage under analysis, and the institute's director next in line for questioning, the probe into one of India's most prominent universities is deepening fast.
Key Takeaways
Mumbai Crime Branch recorded the statement of Professor Suryanarayan Doolla on 3 October 2026 for approximately eight hours .
Professor Doolla denied all allegations of harassment linked to IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode's death.
The Crime Branch has so far recorded statements from around 50 people , including Wakode's parents and classmates.
IIT-Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare is expected to be summoned soon for questioning.
CCTV footage from 18 September is being examined; it reportedly shows Professor Doolla pulling Wakode aside during an exam over alleged mobile phone use.
The IIT-Bombay Faculty Forum has backed Doolla, saying he was targeted for discharging his professional duties.
The Mumbai Crime Branch on 3 October 2026 recorded the statement of Professor Suryanarayan Doolla of IIT-Bombay in the alleged abetment-to-suicide case linked to the death of student Sahil Wakode. The professor was questioned for approximately eight hours, during which he denied all allegations levelled against him, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
What the Interrogation Covered
Investigators questioned Professor Doolla about his interactions with Wakode and the sequence of events leading up to the student's death. The Crime Branch has now recorded statements from around 50 people, including Wakode's parents and classmates. The probe is expected to widen further, with the Crime Branch set to summon IIT-Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare soon to record his statement.
Police are also examining CCTV footage from the examination hall for evidence about activities preceding Wakode's death. Footage from 18 September reportedly showed Professor Doolla pulling Wakode aside after allegedly catching him using a mobile phone during an examination.
The Family's Allegations
Wakode's father, Ravindra Wakode, filed the original police complaint alleging that Professor Doolla had harassed his son. He claimed that Sahil had spoken to him about being discriminated against by the professor. 'My son had told me about this discrimination, but I told him that it is difficult to secure admission to IIT and advised him to bear with it,' Ravindra Wakode said in earlier remarks to reporters.
On the basis of this complaint, Mumbai Police registered a case of abetment to suicide. Professor Doolla has, however, denied all charges.
IIT-Bombay's Position and Faculty Support
The institute had stated after Wakode's death that the student had uploaded the question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers during the examination. IIT-Bombay also clarified that no disciplinary action had been taken against Wakode in connection with the incident.
The IIT-Bombay Faculty Forum has rallied behind Professor Doolla, arguing he was targeted for carrying out his professional responsibilities. Professor Rajkumar Pant, chief of the Faculty Forum, said: 'The student indulged in malpractice during the examination. Prof Doolla reported the matter to the head of the department. If a professor is being vilified just for discharging his duties, then it is a problem for the entire teaching community in the country.'
What Happens Next
With the Crime Branch set to record Director Kedare's statement and CCTV analysis still ongoing, the investigation appears far from concluded. This case has ignited a broader debate about student mental health, institutional accountability, and the boundaries of academic discipline at premier institutions. The outcome is likely to set a significant precedent for how India's top universities handle allegations of faculty misconduct.
Point of View
Student vulnerability, and academic accountability — and the investigation is revealing just how fraught that space can be. The fact that 50 statements have been recorded, CCTV footage is being forensically examined, and the institute's director is about to be summoned signals that the Crime Branch is treating this as a serious structural inquiry, not just a one-professor matter. The Faculty Forum's defence of Doolla, while understandable as professional solidarity, risks conflating misconduct reporting with harassment — two things that can coexist. What is largely missing from mainstream coverage is any systemic audit of student grievance mechanisms at IIT-Bombay, where complaints about academic pressure and discrimination are rarely resolved before they escalate.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Professor Suryanarayan Doolla and why was he questioned?
Professor Suryanarayan Doolla is a faculty member at IIT-Bombay who was questioned by the Mumbai Crime Branch for approximately eight hours on 3 October 2026 in connection with the alleged abetment-to-suicide case of student Sahil Wakode. Wakode's father alleged in a police complaint that the professor had harassed and discriminated against his son.
What happened to IIT-Bombay student Sahil Wakode?
Sahil Wakode, a student at IIT-Bombay, died under circumstances that led his family to allege abetment to suicide. His father filed a police complaint claiming Wakode had been harassed and discriminated against by Professor Doolla, prompting Mumbai Police to register a formal case.
What did IIT-Bombay say about the incident?
IIT-Bombay stated that Sahil Wakode had uploaded the question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers during an examination, and that no disciplinary action was taken against him in connection with that incident. The institute's Faculty Forum backed Professor Doolla, saying he was being vilified for simply performing his professional duties.
Who else will the Mumbai Crime Branch question in this case?
IIT-Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare is expected to be summoned by the Crime Branch soon to record his statement as part of the ongoing probe. Investigators are also continuing to analyse CCTV footage from the examination hall.
What is the broader significance of this case?
The Sahil Wakode case has sparked a national debate about student mental health, faculty accountability, and institutional grievance mechanisms at India's premier engineering institutions. The Crime Branch's wide-ranging probe — covering 50 witnesses and CCTV evidence — could set a precedent for how allegations of academic misconduct and harassment are handled at IITs.
