Mumbai Police detained members of a student organisation and other students who had gathered outside IIT Bombay to stage a peaceful protest demanding the resignation of the institute’s Director Shireesh B. Kedare and the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla in connection with the death of student Sahil Wakode.
A protester told reporters, “Four murders have happened so far! And the Director says that we will not accept the demands? The director himself is the murderer.” Earlier that day, the Mumbai Crime Branch took over the investigation into Wakode’s death. Investigators are examining his mobile phone for any suicide note or other digital evidence, as no such note was found in his hostel room.
IIT Bombay denied reports that Director Kedare had resigned, stating that the claims were false. The institute confirmed that Professor Doolla had been suspended from his position as Dean with immediate effect. The school also apologized for statements made in an earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death, saying the details remain subject to investigation.
The institute clarified that Doolla’s suspension applied only to his role as Dean of Administrative Affairs, and that further action would be taken once the investigation is complete. In a post on X, IIT Bombay reiterated that the Director had not resigned and that the related news was false. The school also explained that it was inappropriate to characterize details of the incident before the investigation was finalized.
