IIT Bombay classes resume after Sahil Wakode's death; professor sent on leave
Synopsis
Classes have resumed at IIT Bombay, but the underlying case remains explosive: a named professor has been sent on leave, Mumbai's Crime Branch is probing allegations of abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination, and the family of 20-year-old Sahil Wakode is demanding an arrest. The calm on campus belies a probe that could set a landmark precedent for institutional accountability in India's IITs.
Key Takeaways
Regular classes resumed at IIT Bombay on 23 September 2026 , with no active protest inside the campus.
Sahil Ravindra Wakode , 20, a second-year B.Tech student, was found dead in his hostel room on 18 September 2026 .
The case has been transferred to Mumbai Crime Branch as DCB CID C.R.
124/2026 and is supervised by a DCP-rank officer .
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been sent on leave; a case against him includes allegations of abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination .
Wakode's parents have demanded the immediate arrest of Doolla.
Mumbai Police has appealed to the public to avoid spreading misinformation and await findings from official channels.
Regular classes have resumed at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay in Powai, Mumbai, days after the death of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year student, triggered campus protests and a wave of public outrage. Sources confirmed on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 that no active protest is currently under way inside the campus.
Situation on Campus
According to sources at IIT Bombay, only a small group — roughly a dozen Humanities students and members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) — remains stationed outside the campus perimeter. The institute, which houses more than 12,000 students and over 700 faculty members, has otherwise returned to its regular academic schedule.
Mumbai Police Investigation
Mumbai Police stated on Wednesday that its probe into Wakode's death is being conducted 'diligently and impartially, exploring all possible angles.' The case, initially registered at Powai Police Station, has since been transferred to the Crime Branch, Mumbai, as DCB CID C.R. No. 124/2026. It is being handled by an ACP-rank officer and is under the direct supervision of the DCP Detection-I, Crime Branch.
Authorities also issued a public appeal urging citizens to avoid speculation and the spread of misinformation. 'Mumbai Police appeals to individuals and the public to refrain from speculation, spreading misinformation or drawing premature conclusions. The media is requested to follow information transmitted through official channels only,' officials stated.
Professor Named, Sent on Leave
IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been named in connection with Wakode's death, has been sent on leave pending the ongoing investigation, sources said. A case has been registered against Doolla on allegations that include abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination. Wakode's parents had, a day earlier, publicly demanded Doolla's immediate arrest.
What Happened on 18 September
Wakode, a second-year B.Tech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on the evening of 18 September 2026. According to reports, the incident occurred hours after he was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination. The circumstances linking that incident to his death remain under investigation.
This is the Nth such case in recent years to put a spotlight on mental health, institutional accountability, and alleged caste discrimination in India's premier technical institutions — a pattern that advocates argue demands systemic reform rather than isolated inquiries. How the Crime Branch investigation unfolds, and whether Doolla faces formal charges, will be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
If substantiated, would expose structural failures that go far beyond one professor or one campus. Mumbai's Crime Branch has an ACP-rank officer on the case, which signals official seriousness, but Wakode's parents' demand for arrest — still unmet — is the real pressure point. India's IITs have faced recurring questions about the mental health and social safety of students from marginalised communities; this investigation will test whether accountability mechanisms inside elite institutions can match their academic reputations.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode?
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a 20-year-old second-year B.Tech student in IIT Bombay's Department of Energy Science and Engineering, was found hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on the evening of 18 September 2026. Reports indicate the incident occurred hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination.
Who is professor Suryanarayana Doolla and what is he accused of?
Suryanarayana Doolla is an IIT Bombay professor who has been named in connection with Wakode's death. A case has been registered against him on allegations of abetment to suicide and caste-based discrimination. He has been sent on leave pending the ongoing investigation.
Which agency is investigating the IIT Bombay student death case?
The case has been transferred from Powai Police Station to the Mumbai Crime Branch as DCB CID C.R. No. 124/2026. An ACP-rank officer is leading the probe, under close supervision of the DCP Detection-I, Crime Branch.
Have classes resumed at IIT Bombay after the protests?
Yes, regular classes resumed at IIT Bombay as of 23 September 2026. Sources confirm no active protest is being staged inside the campus, though a small group of students and SFI members remains outside the campus.
What have Sahil Wakode's parents demanded?
Wakode's parents have publicly demanded the immediate arrest of professor Suryanarayana Doolla. Their demand came a day before it was confirmed that Doolla had been sent on leave amid the ongoing investigation.
