Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, a ten‑year‑old faculty member in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, has earned a reputation for rigorous teaching and research in smart grids and renewable‑energy integration. He earned his PhD in power systems from IIT Delhi in 2007 and has served as warden, dean of student affairs, and a key organizer of national entrance exams.
The controversy erupted on September 18, 2026, when 20‑year‑old student Sahil Wakode died by suicide after an alleged cheating incident during a mid‑semester exam. Doolla, the invigilator and course instructor, reported the student’s use of a mobile phone to upload the paper to an AI platform. Mumbai Police registered a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, naming Doolla as a suspect.
Student protests broke out two days later. On September 20, director Prof. Shireesh Kedare met the demonstrators and signed an 18‑point charter demanding action against Doolla. The students' demands included his suspension and a thorough inquiry into the alleged harassment.
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum countered the protests, stating that Doolla followed institutional procedures and had acted as an invigilator. The forum highlighted that no disciplinary action had been taken before his death and that he had received assurances that the incident would not affect his academic career.
Doolla was formally suspended by IIT Bombay that evening. The suspension is effective pending the ongoing police investigation. The next scheduled step is a court hearing to determine whether the allegations warrant criminal charges, while the faculty forum and student bodies continue to lobby for institutional reforms.