IIT Bombay Apologises Over Sahil Wakode Statement, Deletes Professor Post; Director Shireesh Kedare Stays

The (IIT) Bombay has apologised for the wording of an earlier statement concerning the death of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, acknowledging that the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated.

The institute also removed a subsequent social media post defending professor Suryanarayana Doolla and clarified that IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare has not resigned.

The developments come amid continuing student protests on campus and demands for accountability following Wakode’s death.

IIT Bombay Withdraws Earlier Statement

In its latest communication, said it regretted statements made in its earlier communication about the circumstances preceding Wakode’s death.

“We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil,” the institute said.

IIT Bombay added that the events leading up to the incident remain subject to investigation by the relevant authorities.

The institute acknowledged that it was inappropriate to describe or characterise details concerning the events before they had been established through the proper investigative process.

What IIT Bombay Said On September 19

On September 19, the institute had issued a statement following Wakode’s death. It identified him as a second-year student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.

According to that statement, Wakode had been found using a mobile phone during an examination earlier that day. The institute said he had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT while seeking answers.

IIT Bombay had also stated that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him. It said the matter had been discussed with him by the course instructor, faculty adviser and Head of Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.

Institute Deletes Post Defending Professor

A separate statement issued by IIT Bombay on September 20 was later deleted.

In the now-removed post, the institute had expressed their support for Professor Suryanarayana Doolla. They extended their support towards him and identifying him as the course instructor who was supervising the mid-semester examination on September 18.

The statement said Doolla had observed what the institute described as academic malpractice involving the unauthorised possession and use of a smartphone during the examination.

According to the deleted communication, Doolla reported the incident to the institute authorities in accordance with the procedure approved by IIT Bombay.

Director Shireesh Kedare Has Not Resigned

Amid the protests and calls for accountability, IIT Bombay has also clarified that its Director, Professor Shireesh Kedare, remains in his position.

The clarification comes as students continue to raise demands concerning the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death and the institute’s handling of the events preceding it.

IIT Bombay’s latest apology indicates that the institute has stepped back from publicly characterising those circumstances while the official investigation remains underway.

Investigation Into Circumstances Continues

The institute has stressed that the circumstances leading up to Wakode’s death have not yet been conclusively established and remain under investigation by the appropriate authorities.

The latest developments follow several days of campus unrest, with students seeking accountability and raising questions about the institute’s handling of the matter.

IIT Bombay’s revised position now places emphasis on allowing the investigative process to establish the facts surrounding the incident.