IIT Bombay Student Death: Crime Branch Investigation, FIR and Faculty Forum Statement Explained

The death of 20-year-old IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has triggered protests on campus, a police investigation, an FIR alleging abetment to suicide and caste-based harassment, and a wider debate over academic discipline and student welfare. The case was transferred from Powai Police to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, while IIT Bombay’s Faculty Forum has publicly expressed support for Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was named in the FIR.

The investigation remains ongoing, and several important claims made by the family, the institute and the faculty body have not yet been independently established. It is therefore important to distinguish between what has been officially reported, what has been alleged and what investigators still need to determine.

What Happened to Sahil Wakode?

Sahil Wakode was a second year BTech student in Energy Science and Engineering department of IIT Bombay. He was found dead in his hostel room in the evening of September 18, 2026 following a problem that occurred in examination on the same day. As per the reports, he was found to be using mobile phone in examination. The Institute alleged that he was using the question paper from the exam for seeking answers from the AI platform.

The events that took place during the time period between the examination and the death have become a part of the investigation. There were some concerns expressed by the students as well as the family members about the way the problem was dealt with.

Why Was an FIR Registered?

In the wake of Sahil’s death, Sahil’s parents reported to Powai police that Sahil had suffered from caste-based discrimination, harassment, and pressurizing. As a result of the complaint filed by his parents, police filed an FIR against the accused, which included charges of abetment to suicide as well as invocation of Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act). Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla was one of those who were accused.

It is important to note that the allegations in the FIR have not been proved yet. It may be noted that IIT Bombay denies the allegation of caste-based discrimination and also points out that Sahil did not file any such complaint with IIT’s SC/ST cell or administration.

Why Did the Crime Branch Take Over?

Following Sahil’s parents’ demand for stronger action and their refusal to accept the body of their child from the post mortem department, the case was handed over to the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police on September 19. A crime branch officer of Assistant Commissioner of Police rank is heading the inquiry into the case.

This implies that the case has been handed over to a specialized police force of the city as opposed to staying within the jurisdiction of Powai Police alone. This decision came after a long stand off between Sahil’s parents at the Rajawadi Hospital.

What Does the FIR Say?

This FIR is important because it elevates the matter from being an issue between the institution over examination regulations to a criminal case. This FIR includes accusations of abetment of suicide and caste harassment. According to reports, Professor Doolla is said to be one of the accused persons along with other high-ranking officials.

It should be noted that an FIR is an allegation that needs to be investigated by the police, but does not in itself prove anyone guilty. The Crime Branch has to look into the circumstances of the examination, communications of the student with the institute members, past complaints, etc.

What Does IIT Bombay Say?

Institute of Technology, Bombay has come up with its own version of what happened. As per the institute, the student had been found using his mobile phone during the examination and it had been duly reported as per the institutional procedure. The Institute claims that the concerned teacher and the Head of the Department did speak to him and reassured him about his future academic career despite the incident during the examination.

The institute further states that they have been cooperating in the investigation and request not to make any speculations until the authorities look into the case.

What Did the Faculty Forum Say?

Statement was released by the Faculty Forum of IIT Bombay expressing their support to Prof Doolla while extending condolences to the family of Sahil. The forum revealed that Prof Doolla was a course instructor and invigilating the exam during which time he noticed that the student was making use of his smartphone without any approval from his side.

The forum called it an instance of “academic malpractice” where Prof Doolla followed the policies approved by the Senate. Concerns were also raised regarding tarnishing of Prof Doolla’s reputation after the death of the student.

This is another aspect to this controversial issue as students and family are asking questions regarding how the whole thing was handled while the faculty members are stressing on maintaining the principles of academic integrity.

Why Are Students Protesting?

In their protest, students have demanded accountability and transparency in the way the examination issue was dealt with. The accounts are that students have been demanding measures against individuals they see as being responsible and improvement of mental health services.

It is clear that the issues go beyond just the incident of the individual student. Questions have been raised concerning the approach which competitive institutions should take while balancing between academic integrity and students’ well-being.

What Has Happened to Professor Doolla?

With the probe underway, IIT Bombay has put Professor Suryanarayana Doolla in suspension from his role as dean, with the institute stating that any future course of action will depend on the probe. The reports reveal that this is regarding his role as a dean, and it does not necessarily imply that he is guilty.

This has come right after Faculty Forum supported him publicly, which makes his suspension from administrative duties a big development in this fast-paced case.

What Happens Next?

The investigation of Crime Branch Mumbai will now play a very important role in determining the chronology of events as well as investigating the rival claims. The investigators will need to find out as to what happened before and after the examination, whether there was any previous history of harassment and discrimination, what was communicated and whether the allegations made in FIR are backed up by evidence.

At present, the allegations of the family and the story of the institute cannot be taken as conclusive about the cause of death of Sahil.

Conclusion

The case relating to the death of the IIT Bombay student has evolved to become a case of an investigation that is made up of an examination, allegations of caste-based harassment and an abetment-to-suicide FIR.

The transfer of the case to the Mumbai Crime Branch shows the seriousness with which the allegations are being investigated. On the other hand, the defense of the Faculty Forum of Professor Doolla shows that there are conflicting opinions on how the examination should be interpreted.

The important issues here now include the facts of the matter; what happened after the exam, whether Sahil was harassed or discriminated against, how the institute reacted and whether the allegations in the FIR have substance.

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