IIT Bombay Student Suicide: Faculty Forum Backs Professor Doolla, Holds Campus March

Sahil Wakode Suicide Case: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay's Faculty Forum has come out in support of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who was removed as Dean (Administrative Affairs) following the death of a 22-year-old student on campus. Sources told India Today the forum is planning a march on campus.

Student Sahil Wakode died on September 18. The forum says Doolla, serving as an invigilator, followed the institute's procedure after allegedly detecting academic malpractice during an examination, and that his removal is temporary, meant to enable an independent inquiry.

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Forum Says Removal Is Only Temporary

In a statement issued on September 21 at 3 pm, the Faculty Forum said Professor Doolla had only been temporarily relieved of his role as Dean (Administrative Affairs). It said the step was meant to allow an independent and unbiased inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The clarification came amid reports about the professor's role and the events before the student's death.

Defending Doolla's Record

The forum described Doolla as a senior faculty member with several academic and teaching honours, including two awards based entirely on student feedback. It also pointed to his earlier tenure as Dean (Student Affairs), during which, it said, several student welfare initiatives were established.

Objection to "False and Misleading" Reports

The forum objected to what it called false and misleading reports about Doolla, saying they had hurt his reputation before the inquiry had established the facts. It maintained that he was performing his duties as an invigilator and followed the prescribed procedure.

Grief and Fairness

Even as it defended its colleague, the forum said it was deeply saddened by the student's death and acknowledged the grief surrounding it. It argued that sympathy for the deceased and fairness to those whose conduct is under examination need not oppose each other, and that both should guide the institute's response while the inquiry continues.

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Who Is Behind the Statement?

The statement was signed by Professor Rajkumar S. Pant, president of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum. The forum is a formal body of around 750 faculty members and serves as a platform for raising concerns and communicating views to the institute and other bodies. Sources say it is now planning a march on campus.