Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a faculty member in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE), has come under intense scrutiny following the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode and the protests that have since erupted on the campus. Doolla was the course instructor and invigilator during the examination in which Wakode was allegedly caught using a mobile phone.
IIT Bombay initially said that Wakode was counselled by the instructor and Head of Department after the incident and was assured that it would not adversely affect his academic career. The institute has said that any further action would follow the inquiry. The institute also maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him before his death. Wakode’s family has disputed this account. His father alleged that his son had faced harassment and caste-based abuse. Following the family’s complaint, Mumbai Police registered a case invoking provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, with Doolla among those named. The allegations remain subject to investigation. Wakode’s death led to sustained protests by students at the IIT Bombay campus. Among their demands was action against Doolla. IIT Bombay subsequently suspended Doolla from his administrative role amid the protests and the ongoing investigation.
As of September 21, Doolla remains at the centre of the controversy surrounding Wakode’s death. IIT Bombay has suspended him from his administrative responsibilities while the matter is investigated. The Mumbai Crime Branch is handling the police investigation and is expected to question those involved in the case. The allegations against Doolla and his suspension are separate from any determination of criminal liability. The controversy now centres on three issues: the examination incident involving Wakode, the allegations made by his family and the resulting police investigation, and the protests and institutional action against Doolla.
The police investigation is ongoing, while IIT Bombay has also acknowledged that some of its earlier statements about the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death were inappropriate and issued an apology.
