Allegations of Caste-Based Harassment

At the heart of the family’s grievance are specific allegations of caste-based discrimination. Sonali Wakode claimed that Sahil had reported being targeted based on his caste for approximately three months. She specifically identified professor Suryanarayana Doolla as the source of this abuse.

“He specifically told us that professor Suryanarayana Doolla would say, ‘I am from an upper caste and you are from a lower caste,’” Sonali recounted. She described a pattern of intimidation where Doolla would allegedly threaten to implicate Sahil in wrongful acts and remove him from the institute.

Ravindra Wakode corroborated these details, adding that Doolla had explicitly stated, “I will implicate you in some wrong thing and will remove you.” The parents allege this behavior was not an isolated incident but a sustained campaign of harassment that left Sahil feeling trapped and hopeless. They demanded that the allegations recorded in the FIR be examined thoroughly and that appropriate action be taken against those found responsible.

Institutional Response and Investigation

The family’s demand for justice has prompted responses from both law enforcement and the institute. A senior Crime Branch official confirmed that the statements of Sahil’s parents had been recorded. However, the investigation is still in its early stages. The official noted that statements from IIT Bombay officials, including professor Doolla, were yet to be recorded and that they would be summoned for questioning soon.

IIT Bombay has taken initial steps to address the controversy. The institute announced that Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla was temporarily relieved of his administrative duties pending an investigation. Despite this, he continues to serve as a professor and head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. The institute also issued an apology for its earlier communication regarding the circumstances preceding Sahil’s death, acknowledging that those details remained subject to investigation.

Sonali Wakode expressed her faith in the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, stating she wanted the investigation completed fairly, thoroughly, and strictly in accordance with the FIR. She also raised concerns about the institute’s shifting narrative, particularly regarding the allegation that Sahil had cheated using an AI platform. “I am also concerned by what appears to be a change in IIT Bombay’s position or statements regarding these allegations,” she said. She urged authorities to determine whether these cheating allegations had any evidentiary basis or if they were diverting attention from the more serious issues of harassment and bullying raised in the FIR.

IIT Bombay Faces Scrutiny Amidst Grieving Family’s Demand

As the Crime Branch continues its inquiry, the case highlights the critical intersection of academic pressure, institutional responsibility, and social discrimination within elite educational spaces. The tragic loss of Sahil Wakode has forced IIT Bombay to confront serious allegations of misconduct by its faculty and potential failures in student welfare protocols. The parents’ demand for the arrest of director Shireesh B Kedare and professor Doolla underscores the severity of their claims and their lack of trust in the institute’s internal mechanisms.

The outcome of this investigation will likely have far-reaching implications for how higher education institutions in India handle complaints of caste-based harassment and mental health crises. If the allegations of targeted abuse are substantiated, it could lead to stricter accountability measures for faculty members and more robust support systems for students. Conversely, if the institute’s initial claims of cheating are proven, it may spark debates on the rigorous nature of academic integrity enforcement in premier institutions. For now, the Wakode family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, hoping that the truth will emerge from the ongoing probe.