IIT Bombay suicide | ‘Protest not to justify misconduct, but highlight systemic issues': Students seek institutional reforms, accountability

Student representatives at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have clarified that their protest following the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode was not intended to justify academic misconduct, while calling for systemic reforms to address concerns within the institute.

In a statement issued on September 21, the representatives said they did not “condone cheating" but wanted the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death to prompt a review of the institute’s systems and processes.

IIT Bombay Student Representatives’ statement on the recent events. #IITBombay #StudentVoices #StudentConcerns #StudentWelfare #StudentRepresentation #InstitutionalReform #Accountability #DueProcess #StudentsTogether pic.twitter.com/iuwDfKq1KF

— E-Cell, IIT Bombay (@ecell_iitb) September 21, 2026

‘Not intended to justify academic misconduct’

“We do not stand for or condone cheating or any form of academic misconduct. At the same time, the loss of our fellow student, Sahil, is a deeply tragic event that has compelled us to reflect on the systems and processes within our Institute,” the statement said.

They added that the protest was aimed at raising concerns that had existed on campus for some time and seeking changes to prevent similar circumstances in the future.

“It was a collective effort to raise concerns about systemic issues that have existed for some time and to seek meaningful and strong institutional reforms so that no student has to face circumstances of this nature again,” the statement said.

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The statement comes after IIT Bombay students staged protests following Wakode’s death on September 18 and submitted an 18-point charter of demands to the institute administration. The demands include an independent investigation into his death, greater student participation in institutional processes, stronger grievance redressal mechanisms and improvements to mental-health and medical support.

Students clarify position on Prof Doolla

The student representatives also clarified their position on Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, faculty member who was named in an FIR filed by the deceased’s family. Doolla was removed from his post as Dean of Administrative Affairs on September 21, with IIT Bombay saying any further action against him would follow the investigation.

The students said they had not presumed Doolla’s guilt and that their demand was for him to be relieved of his administrative responsibilities while the investigation was underway.

“With respect to Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, we would like to clarify that our position has never been one of presuming guilt or prejudging the ongoing investigation. We stand with Professor Doolla as a member of our faculty community and believe that the investigation must be allowed to proceed fairly and impartially,” they said.

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They said removing him from his administrative role was sought as a precaution to ensure that the probe remained independent.

‘Concerns must remain with students’

The representatives also said the issues raised after Wakode’s death should remain centred on the student community and not be shaped by external organisations or interests.

“The loss of Sahil should not become a platform for external political interests, organisations, or narratives to shape the concerns of the IIT Bombay student community,” they said.

The students said their demands had emerged from their own experiences on campus and that they would continue to seek accountability, transparency and institutional reform.

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“We stand united in seeking accountability, transparency and meaningful institutional reform. We will continue to raise our concerns, represent the voices of students, and work constructively with the Institute towards building a safer, more accountable and supportive campus,” the statement said.

Wakode’s family has alleged that he faced caste-based harassment at IIT Bombay. An FIR was registered following their complaint, naming Doolla and other institute officials, and the investigation was transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch. The circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death remain under investigation.