Prof Suryanarayana Doolla (L), CCTV captures Sahil Wakode looking at phone during exam. MUMBAI: A 2024 email sent by IIT Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was then the institute’s Dean of Student Affairs, has resurfaced amid allegations of caste discrimination made by the family of student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide last week.

In the email, prof Doolla cautioned students against asking fellow students about their admission categories, JEE (Advanced) ranks or GATE scores, saying such questions could reveal their caste or whether they belonged to a reserved category. The email said IIT Bombay aimed to promote an inclusive campus where students interacted with each other irrespective of caste, religion or socio-economic status."

IIT Bombay considers it inappropriate to ask a fellow student what birth/admission category they belong to: asking this could lead to conscious or subconscious bias. It is equally inappropriate for any person (students/staff/faculty-members) to ask other students about their JEE (Advanced) ranks/GATE-scores, or any other information that may reveal the caste or other related aspects.

While the person asking the question may feel it is innocent, and it may be driven purely by curiosity, asking the question can often have an adverse impact on the other student. Asking could appear like an attempt to find the caste, and may set the stage for discrimination."

The message also urged students to build friendships around common interests such as their department, sports, music, films, schools, colleges, villages, cities and hobbies." g.

based on - religion or sexual orientation, can be construed as harassment or bullying." The email said the prohibition applied to messages shared on WhatsApp, Facebook and email, as well as interactions in person, and warned that violations could lead to severe punishment.

The email was circulated during prof Doolla’s tenure as dean. IIT Bombay had also circulated its anti-discrimination guidelines twice during his tenure.

Mail sent by Prof DoollaAn ApologyThe institue on Thursday issued a formal apology over statements made in an earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding the death of student Sahil Ravindra Wakode. “Sharing the earlier post of 21st Sept 2026 again: We apologise for the statements contained in our earlier communication concerning the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate demise of Sahil.