Fresh Turn in IIT Bombay Student Sahil Wakode Death Case as Close Friend Rejects Caste Bias Claims A close friend of deceased IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has stated that he saw no signs of caste discrimination, while nearly 750 teachers plan a campus march supporting Professor Suryanarayana Doolla. The controversy surrounding the death of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a BTech student at IIT Bombay, has deepened with unexpected testimony from within his social circle. A close friend of the deceased student has come forward, indicating that he did not observe any indications of caste-based discrimination against Sahil. According to the friend, Sahil appeared entirely composed, cheerful, and routine in his daily interactions just days before the examination, showing no visible signs of emotional distress or suicidal ideation. The Cheating Allegation and Chain of Events Sahil Wakode was a second-year BTech student enrolled in the Energy Science and Engineering department. On September 18, during a scheduled examination, an invigilator discovered a mobile phone in his possession. The student faced allegations of uploading the examination question paper to ChatGPT in an attempt to fetch answers while sitting in the examination hall. Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was serving as the exam invigilator, caught the unauthorised phone usage. Following standard institutional guidelines regarding academic dishonesty, Professor Doolla reported the infraction to the relevant institute authorities. According to Sahil's friend, the professor subsequently escorted Sahil out of the examination venue. However, the precise sequence of events and conversations that occurred immediately following their departure from the hall remains unobserved by his peers. A few hours after this incident, Sahil was found dead inside his hostel room, triggering immediate unrest across the campus. Police Complaint and Serious Legal Charges In the wake of the tragedy, student groups organised protests demanding strict action, while Sahil's family approached law enforcement authorities. Acting on a formal complaint filed by Sahil's father, police registered an FIR against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla invoking sections related to abetment of suicide alongside provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The father alleged that Sahil was harassed on the basis of his caste identity and subjected to caste-specific slurs. However, the narrative offered by Sahil's close friend presents a completely contrasting perspective regarding the campus environment. The friend shared that he had spent time with Sahil around four to five days prior to the test. During that meeting, Sahil was interacting naturally with his peers, laughing, and engaging in customary conversations, with nothing to suggest that he was battling immense mental pressure or contemplating self-harm. This account has introduced significant complexity into the ongoing discourse. Faculty Forum Backs Professor Doolla with Planned March Amid escalating protests, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has rallied strongly behind Professor Doolla. Approximately 750 educators have decided to stage a campus solidarity march. In an official communication, the forum affirmed that Professor Doolla was simply fulfilling his professional duty as an invigilator by reporting a discovered exam irregularity in line with established academic protocols. The faculty body also pointed out that Professor Doolla has not been dismissed or suspended from his faculty position at the institute. Instead, he was merely relieved of his administrative duties as Dean to guarantee that the ongoing inquiry remains independent, transparent, and fair. Describing him as an experienced, dedicated, and widely respected academic, the forum voiced sharp objections against misleading reports and unverified narratives circulating against him. Crime Branch Takes Over Comprehensive Probe Responding to student agitations and legal complaints, the administration moved swiftly to remove Professor Doolla from his administrative role as Dean with immediate effect. To ensure an exhaustive investigation, the inquiry into Sahil Wakode's death has been formally handed over to the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police. In a subsequent public statement, IIT Bombay stressed that the full sequence of events leading up to the student's death remains under active investigation. The institution cautioned that drawing premature conclusions before investigating officers finalise their findings would be inappropriate. The institute also tendered an apology regarding certain remarks made in its preliminary communications. What this means for you This incident directly impacts institutional protocols surrounding exam malpractice, student mental health support, and the administrative handling of serious allegations against faculty members. • Across India: Premier higher education institutions may tighten rules regarding the detection of AI tools and mobile phones in examination halls. The incident also intensifies demands for sensitive protocols to handle student mental stress during disciplinary actions. • In Mumbai: At the IIT Bombay campus, heightened scrutiny and administrative tension are impacting daily interactions between students and faculty members. With the Mumbai Police Crime Branch leading the probe, official statements from various campus stakeholders will be recorded in the coming days. • For Students and Parents: The development underscores the vital need for proactive mental health support and close communication during times of academic distress. Parents and peers are urged to maintain regular dialogue with students facing intense curriculum pressure. • For Academic Faculty: The controversy highlights the legal and procedural vulnerabilities faced by exam invigilators when enforcing academic integrity rules. It has prompted teaching staff to demand clear protective frameworks and transparent inquiries before punitive administrative measures are taken. Why this happened This controversy arose from an examination malpractice incident that culminated in a student's death, followed by deeply conflicting accounts from the family and campus peers. • Immediate Trigger: On September 18, the student was allegedly caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during an exam, leading the invigilator to report the violation, after which the student was found dead in his hostel room a few hours later. • Caste Allegations Versus Peer Testimony: The student's father filed a police complaint alleging caste-based harassment and slurs by the professor, whereas a close friend of the student publicly disputed any signs of caste discrimination or prior depressive behaviour. • Faculty Mobilisation: Nearly 750 faculty members rallied behind the professor, asserting that he merely executed standard invigilation procedures, leading to pushback against his removal from the Dean post. • Official Probe Underway: Due to escalating protests and conflicting narratives, the Mumbai Police transferred the investigation to its Crime Branch to ascertain the exact circumstances leading up to the tragedy. Questions & Answers 1. Who was Sahil Wakode and which department did he belong to? Sahil Ravindra Wakode was a second-year BTech student in the Energy Science and Engineering department at IIT Bombay. 2. What incident took place in the examination hall on September 18? Sahil was found with a mobile phone during the exam and was accused of using ChatGPT to find answers to question paper queries. 3. What did Sahil's close friend state regarding caste discrimination allegations? The friend stated that he never felt Sahil faced caste discrimination and noted that Sahil was cheerful and normal days before the exam. 4. What legal charges have been filed against Professor Suryanarayana Doolla? Following a complaint by Sahil's father, a case was registered for abetment of suicide and under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. 5. What is the official stance of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum? The Faculty Forum backed Professor Doolla for following standard exam protocols, with around 750 teachers planning a solidarity march. 6. Which agency is currently investigating the incident? The investigation into the case has been handed over to the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police. https://trendkia.com/en/bihar/iit-bombay-chhatra-sahil-wakode-ki-mauta-mamale-men-naya-mora-karibi-dosta-ne-jatigata-bhedabhava-ke-davon-ko-nakara-35838 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.