# IIT Bombay student suicide: FIR against professor, crime branch probe

2026-09-20T04:12:40+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

A second-year IIT Bombay student, Sahil Wakode, died by suicide on Friday after being caught using ChatGPT during an exam. The Powai police have filed an abetment of suicide case against professor Suryanarayana Doolla, named as the invigilator who caught the student, and other unnamed officials. Wakode's father alleged his son faced casteist slurs and harassment for three months at the behest of director Shireesh Kedare. IIT Bombay denies caste discrimination and says no disciplinary action was taken, only counselling. The investigation has been transferred to the crime branch. Protests on campus continue.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Sources agree that Sahil Wakode died by suicide after being caught using ChatGPT during an exam at IIT Bombay. The critical frames by NDTV and Deccan Herald lead with the father's allegation of casteist slurs and harassment at the behest of the director, while Times of India and the institute deny caste discrimination and stress that no disciplinary action was initiated. The balanced reading is that an abetment-of-suicide FIR now with the crime branch. The police investigation will determine whether the claim of caste-based threats by the professor is substantiated, and if any procedural failure by the institute emerges from the probe.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/iit-bombay-denies-suspension-threat-to-student-casteism-charge/articleshow/134362871.cms>
  Leads with the casteism denial by the director and the absence of disciplinary action, foregrounding the institute's position over the family's allegations
- ndtv.com (government critical) <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iit-bombay-suicide-case-iit-bombay-suryanarayan-dulla-professor-made-casteist-slurs-father-of-student-sahil-wakode-who-killed-self-12070698#publisher=newsstand>
  Headline frames the family's allegation of casteist slurs without IIT's denial, leading with the most serious charge
- deccanherald.com (neutral report) <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/maharashtra/iit-bombay-suicide-case-caste-based-slurs-threats-were-hurled-case-against-professor-after-parents-of-victim-name-him-in-complaint-4152587>
  Leads with the FIR and crime branch transfer but also gives prominent space to the parents' raw accusations of caste-based slurs and harassment

Tags: IIT Bombay, Powai police, Sahil Wakode, SC/ST Act, Suryanarayana Doolla
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