Mumbai Crime Branch Grills IIT-B Prof for 8 Hours in Suicide Case
- Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla questioned for 8 hours by Mumbai Crime Branch
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year student, died on September 18
- Eight students begin hunger strike at Justice Corner
- Director Shireesh Kedare likely to be summoned for questioning
- 16 IIT students died by suicide in 2025, highest in six years
The Mumbai Crime Branch conducted an exhaustive eight-hour interrogation of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla on Thursday, October 2, 2026, as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of second-year B.Tech student Sahil Wakode. Sources confirmed that investigators pressed the professor on allegations of harassment leveled by the victim's family. Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on September 18 after being caught allegedly cheating during a mid-semester examination. Doolla, who has been at the center of the controversy, reportedly denied all allegations of harassment during the marathon session. Officials said the questioning focused on the events leading up to the examination and the subsequent disciplinary actions taken against the student. • The interrogation lasted from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. • Doolla maintained that internal protocols were followed during the exam. • Police are currently reviewing digital evidence from the student's personal devices. The investigation, which has drawn intense scrutiny from the student body and the public, seeks to determine if the pressure exerted on the student amounted to abetment to suicide under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Industry reports indicate that academic and institutional stress remains a primary concern for students in premier technical colleges across the country. Police officials stated that they are currently analyzing the statements provided by the professor against the testimony collected from Wakode's peers and family members. The intensity of the probe reflects the gravity of the situation, as the institute faces a mounting crisis regarding student safety and mental health support systems. Investigators are expected to compare the professor's account with the logs from the examination hall and the records of the disciplinary committee. The process is far from over, as the Crime Branch plans to cross-reference these findings with additional witnesses in the coming days.
Sahil Wakode Death Sparks Hunger Strike at Justice Corner
While the Crime Branch continues its work, the atmosphere at the Powai campus has turned volatile. Eight students have commenced an indefinite hunger strike at the institute's 'Justice Corner' to demand immediate accountability for the death of Sahil Wakode. The protesters argue that the administration has failed to address the systemic issues that contribute to student distress. The agitation began shortly after the news of the student's death spread across the hostel blocks. Students marched towards the main gate, carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for transparency in the investigation. Witnesses said the protest has gained momentum, with support growing among different departments. • Eight students are currently refusing food to press their demands. • The protest site, Justice Corner, has become a focal point for campus activism. • Demands include an independent inquiry into the death and a review of the institute's disciplinary policies. The protesters claim that the current academic environment is excessively punitive, leading to immense psychological pressure on students. They argue that the incident involving Wakode was not an isolated case but a symptom of a larger, deep-seated problem within the institution. The students have made it clear that they will not end their strike until the administration provides a concrete roadmap for reform. Meanwhile, the institute has urged for calm, stating that it is cooperating fully with the police investigation. However, the students remain skeptical of the internal mechanisms, citing a lack of trust in the administration's ability to hold its own faculty accountable.
The 10-Point Charter of Demands Challenging IIT Administration
The hunger strike is driven by a 10-point charter of demands that highlights the students' frustration with the current state of affairs at IIT Bombay. These demands range from the immediate suspension of faculty members accused of harassment to the establishment of a student-led mental health task force. The students are calling for a complete overhaul of how the institute handles disciplinary cases involving academic integrity. The charter explicitly demands that the administration stop using coercive measures during examinations. It also calls for the implementation of a more supportive counseling framework that is accessible to all students, regardless of their academic standing. The protesters believe that the current system prioritizes grades over the well-being of the individual, creating an environment where students feel they have no recourse when faced with academic challenges. • The charter demands an independent, student-inclusive committee for all disciplinary hearings. • It calls for the resignation of officials who failed to prevent the recent series of student deaths. • The students want a transparent reporting system for harassment complaints. Experts noted that the 10-point charter represents a significant shift in campus activism, moving from isolated protests to a structured, policy-driven movement. The students are not just demanding justice for Wakode; they are demanding a fundamental change in the culture of the institution. They believe that the administration's current approach is outdated and fails to account for the pressures faced by students in a high-stakes academic environment. The administration has yet to formally respond to all points in the charter, but the pressure is mounting as the hunger strike enters its second day.
Director Shireesh Kedare Likely to Face Police Summons
As the investigation widens, sources within the Mumbai Police confirmed that the Crime Branch is considering summoning IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare to record his statement. The move is seen as an attempt to understand the administrative oversight during the period leading up to the student's death. Officials said that the director's testimony is crucial to determine whether there were lapses in the implementation of safety guidelines on campus. The potential summons of a director of an elite institution like IIT Bombay is a rare and significant development. It signals that the police are looking at the case from a systemic perspective rather than just focusing on individual faculty members. The investigators want to know what measures were in place to support students under disciplinary stress and whether those measures were effective. • Police are reviewing the internal communication logs of the administration. • The director is expected to provide details on the institute's policy regarding student discipline. • The summons could be issued as early as next week, pending the analysis of current evidence. The prospect of the director facing questioning has sent ripples through the academic community. Some observers argue that it is a necessary step to ensure accountability at the highest level, while others worry about the potential impact on the institute's reputation. Regardless of the debate, the police are focused on the legal requirements of the case. They are determined to leave no stone unturned as they piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragic death of the second-year student.
Rising Student Distress: 16 IIT Suicides Reported in 2025
The death of Sahil Wakode is the third suicide at IIT Bombay this year, a statistic that has sparked nationwide concern. Across the country, the situation is even more alarming, with nine such cases reported in 2026 so far. According to official data, 2025 was a particularly dark period, with 16 IIT students dying by suicide, the highest number in six years. The consistent rise in these numbers suggests that the problem is not limited to a single campus but is a widespread issue across the Indian Institute of Technology network. Experts pointed out that the intense academic competition, combined with a lack of adequate mental health support, creates a 'pressure cooker' environment for many students. The transition from high school to the rigorous academic life of an IIT can be overwhelming, and many students struggle to cope with the expectations placed upon them. • 16 IIT students died by suicide in 2025. • Three suicides have been reported at IIT Bombay in 2026. • Nine student suicides have been recorded across the country this year. The recurring nature of these incidents has forced a re-examination of the support systems available to students. Many argue that the current focus on academic excellence needs to be balanced with a focus on holistic student development. The government has been under pressure to address the issue, with calls for a national-level inquiry into the mental health crisis within premier technical institutions. As the investigation into Wakode's death continues, the broader question of how to prevent such tragedies remains at the forefront of the national conversation.
Institutional Accountability and the Path Forward
The investigation into Sahil Wakode's death is a critical test for IIT Bombay and the broader higher education sector in India. The involvement of the Mumbai Crime Branch and the potential questioning of top administration officials indicate that the authorities are taking the matter seriously. However, the real challenge lies in whether this investigation will lead to meaningful, long-term changes that can prevent future tragedies. The students' hunger strike is a clear signal that the status quo is no longer acceptable. They are demanding a seat at the table and a say in the policies that affect their lives. The administration's response in the coming days will be closely watched by parents, students, and the public. If the institute fails to address the core grievances raised by the students, the crisis is likely to deepen. • The Crime Branch is expected to file a preliminary report within the next two weeks. • The institute's board of governors is scheduled to meet to discuss the campus situation. • The students have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment where students can thrive academically without sacrificing their mental health. This requires a shift in mindset, from a system that punishes failure to one that supports growth. The tragedy of Sahil Wakode should serve as a wake-up call for the entire academic community. As the investigation unfolds, the focus must remain on ensuring that justice is served and that the necessary reforms are implemented to protect the lives of students in the future. The path forward is difficult, but it is a necessary journey for the sake of the thousands of students who walk through the gates of these institutions every year.