Stories
IIT-Bombay Suspends Professor Doolla After Student Suicide, Protests
- •Professor Suryanarayana Doolla of IIT Bombay's Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE) was suspended following student protests over the death of 20-year-old Sahil Wakode.
- •The suspension occurred on September 20 after the institute's director agreed to an 18-point charter of demands from protesting students.
- •Doolla was the course instructor and examination invigilator during an exam where Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone, and his name is included in the police case registered after Wakode's death.
- •Wakode's family alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination, leading Mumbai Police to register a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, naming Doolla among others.
- •Doolla has been associated with IIT Bombay for over a decade, specializing in power systems and renewable energy, and holds a PhD from IIT Delhi.
Key Questions Answered
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla was suspended following student protests over the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode. The institute's director agreed to an 18-point charter of demands which included action against Doolla, who was the course instructor and exam invigilator when Wakode was caught using a mobile phone.
Sahil Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination to upload the question paper to an AI platform for answers. Although the institute stated he was counseled and assured his career wouldn't be affected, his family alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination.
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum expressed strong solidarity with Professor Doolla, stating that he was simply discharging his duties and following the institute's Senate-approved academic policies after discovering unauthorized smartphone use.
