The Mumbai Police on Saturday, September 19, 2026, booked Suryanarayan Dulla, a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), on allegations of caste abuse and abetment of suicide. The case was registered a day after a 22-year-old student, identified as Sahil Wakode, was found dead in his hostel room on the Powai campus.
According to police officials, the complaint was filed by the student's family, who alleged that Dulla had repeatedly subjected Wakode to caste-based harassment. The FIR includes charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with abetment of suicide.
IIT Bombay has not yet issued an official statement on the incident. The institute's administration is reportedly cooperating with the investigation. The Mumbai Police have launched a probe and are examining evidence, including any prior complaints or communications between the student and the accused.
The incident has sparked outrage among student groups, with calls for stricter measures against caste discrimination on campuses. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the mental health and safety of students from marginalized communities in higher education institutions.
