- Professor Suryanarayana Doolla removed as IIT Bombay Dean.
- Action follows student Sahil Wakode's suicide, campus protests.
- Doolla named in SC/ST Act case, caste discrimination alleged.
IIT Bombay Student Suicide: Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a faculty member in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay, has been removed from his post as Dean of Students Welfare. Doolla is at the centre of a major controversy following the death of a second-year BTech student, which has led to widespread protests on campus.
Who Is Professor Suryanarayana Doolla?
Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been associated with IIT Bombay for nearly a decade. His academic specialisation includes power systems, smart grids, microgrids, renewable energy integration, converter control, and energy efficiency.
During his tenure at the institute, Doolla has held various roles, including Warden of Hostel 6, Dean of Student Affairs, and coordinator for major examinations such as JEE Advanced, UCEED, and CEED.
He holds a B.Tech from Nagarjuna University (2000), an M.Tech from IIT Bombay (2002), and a PhD from IIT Delhi (2007).
Before joining IIT Bombay, he worked with Power Research and Development Consultants in Bengaluru and Machine 2 Machine in Hyderabad.
He has received several recognitions at the institute, including the Prof. S P Sukhatme Excellence in Teaching Award in 2021, the IIT Bombay Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017, and the Young Faculty Award in 2009.
How Did He Get Involved In Sahil Wakode Suicide Case?
The controversy erupted after the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode on September 18. Doolla was serving as the course instructor and exam invigilator during a mid-semester examination when Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone. Doolla reported the alleged academic malpractice to the institute’s authorities.
IIT Bombay stated that Wakode was counselled by the instructor and Head of Department and was assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career. The institute maintained that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him before his death.
Allegations Of Harassment, Caste-Based Discrimination
Wakode's family, meanwhile, alleged that he faced severe institutional harassment and caste-based discrimination. Based on their complaint, Mumbai Police registered a case under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Doolla was among those named in the complaint.
Campus Protests And Action Against Doolla
Following the incident, widespread protests erupted on campus demanding action against Doolla. On September 20, IIT Bombay Director Prof Shireesh Kedare met with student representatives and signed an 18-point charter of demand. Doolla was removed from his post as Dean of Students Welfare that evening.
Meanwhile, the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum issued a statement backing Professor Doolla, stating that he was performing his duties as an invigilator and followed the institute's prescribed procedure after detecting the alleged examination malpractice.
Current Status
As of September 21, 2026, Professor Doolla has been removed from his deanship at IIT Bombay. The controversy involves separate strands: the examination incident involving Wakode, allegations made by his family and the resulting police investigation, and the student protests and institutional action against Doolla.
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