The tragic death of Sahil Wakode, a second‑year student, on September 18 left the IIT Bombay community stunned after a police report confirmed he used a mobile phone during an exam.
Faculty Forum chief Rajkumar Pant said Professor Doolla was simply fulfilling his duties and that the crime branch had corroborated the allegations of cheating.
Pant also denied caste‑discrimination claims and highlighted that the institute’s SC/ST cell had no record of a formal complaint from the student’s family.
Student leaders staged a march demanding reforms, while the IIT Delhi Faculty Forum issued a statement supporting Doolla’s actions and calling for an unbiased investigation.
IIT Bombay relieved Doolla of his dean duties on September 21, and an internal probe will examine the incident and the institute’s examination protocols.
The student’s mother, Meera Wakode, said the tragedy highlighted the pressure students face and urged the university to prioritize mental health.
The next faculty meeting on September 28 will discuss policy reforms and the institute’s response to the crisis.