IIT Bombay professor gets faculty backing after student death controversy; protests intensify over suspension

Wakode was enrolled in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.

Faculty forum backs Doolla

The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum has backed Doolla amid the controversy, saying he was performing his duties as an examination invigilator in accordance with institutional procedures and norms.

Faculty members also staged a protest and held a march on campus in support of Doolla following his suspension from the administrative deanship.

The IIT Madras Faculty Association also issued a statement supporting Doolla while expressing condolences to Wakode's family.

As quoted by NDTV, the association said, "No words can ease the grief of his parents and family, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to them. We also stand with his friends, classmates and the wider student community of IIT Bombay, who are mourning the loss of one of their own."

"The death of any student is a loss to the entire academic community, and it is a reminder that our institutions must keep making the wellbeing of every student a central priority," it added.

Student allegedly used ChatGPT during exam

According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was allegedly found using his mobile phone during an examination and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.

Doolla was the course instructor and invigilator during the examination.

The institute said Wakode was subsequently counselled by the instructor and the Head of the Department. It maintained that he was assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career and that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him at that stage.

Wakode later returned to his hostel room, where he was found dead.

(L-R) Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and second-year student Sahil Wakode who died by suicide. Photo: Screen-grab/IIT website

Students demand transparency

Wakode's death triggered protests at the IIT Bombay campus, with hundreds of students demanding greater transparency from the institute over the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The protesters alleged that Wakode had been threatened with a one-year suspension and that this could have forced him to vacate the hostel.

IIT Bombay, however, has maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.

Doolla's academic work focuses on power systems, smart grids, microgrids, renewable-energy integration and power-electronics control.

Family alleges harassment, caste discrimination

Following Wakode's death, his family alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination. Doolla was subsequently named in an FIR registered by Mumbai Police under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The allegations against Doolla have not been established and remain under investigation.

Doolla suspended from deanship

Following protests, students submitted an 18-point charter of demands, including action against Doolla.

On September 21, IIT Bombay suspended Doolla from his administrative deanship with immediate effect. The institute said any further action would be taken after an investigation.

Doolla continues to serve as a professor and as Head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.

The move came after IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare met protesting students and signed their 18-point charter.