Students at IIT Bombay are calling for changes to the institute’s student welfare and mental health support systems following the death of 22-year-old BTech student Sahil Wakode. The incident has also triggered a debate on the removal of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla as Dean of Administrative Affairs.

Wakode, a second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, died on September 18 at the institute’s Powai campus. The incident followed an examination earlier that day during which he was allegedly found using a mobile phone.

The developments have led to student protests, increased security on campus and demands for a closer examination of the institute’s student support mechanisms.

Students demand changes to welfare system

Several students told PTI that regardless of differences over the handling of the examination incident, there was broad support for strengthening student welfare services.

Students specifically raised the need for improvements to the wellness cell, psychiatric support and the way student concerns are incorporated into institutional decision-making.

One student said students should have a greater voice when decisions affecting them are made.

At the same time, some students disputed reports that caste discrimination at the institute played a role in the incident. One student said the caste-related claims circulating in the media did not reflect the situation on campus.

Another student similarly said there was no caste-based discrimination at IIT Bombay and described reports suggesting otherwise as incorrect.

Debate over professor’s removal

Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was removed as Dean of Administrative Affairs following protests over Wakode’s death. He continues to serve as a faculty member.

Some students supported the professor and argued that his removal from the dean's position was unwarranted. One student said Doolla was carrying out his responsibilities when he dealt with the examination incident.

The Faculty Forum also backed Doolla, saying he had followed the Senate-approved examination procedure when reporting Wakode for allegedly using a phone during the test.

However, other students raised concerns about Doolla's earlier tenure as Dean of Students Affairs. They alleged that disciplinary measures, including suspensions and hostel removals, had created a sense of fear among some students.

These accounts reflect differing views among students and faculty, while an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Wakode's death remains underway.

IIT Bombay retracts earlier account

IIT Bombay has also apologised for its initial communication about the events preceding Wakode's death.

The institute said it was inappropriate to describe details of the incident before they had been established through the appropriate investigative process. It subsequently retracted its earlier assertion that Wakode had been caught cheating but faced no disciplinary action.

The Mumbai Police have registered a case against Professor Doolla following a complaint from Wakode's family. The case includes provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to abetment of suicide.

Wakode's father, Ravindra Wakode, has alleged that his son faced humiliation, harassment and caste-based discrimination. He has also sought an investigation into the role of the IIT Bombay administration.

Campus security tightened

Security was increased around the IIT Bombay campus as protests and discussions continued.

On Monday evening, faculty members organised a march in support of Doolla. Student groups, meanwhile, have continued to demand further action against him, including calls for his suspension as a faculty member.

The competing views have placed the focus on both the circumstances surrounding Wakode's death and the broader question of student welfare, academic pressure and institutional support at IIT Bombay.