IIT Bombay has removed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs amid continuing student protests following the death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode. The development came after IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter of demands submitted by protesting students. Doolla will continue to serve as a professor in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering and as its head, according to reports. He had earlier also served as Dean of Student Affairs. Key Highlights Professor Suryanarayana Doolla has been removed as Dean of Administrative Affairs at IIT Bombay. The decision comes amid protests following Sahil Wakode’s death by suicide. IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point student charter. Students have sought an independent investigation into Wakode’s death. The demands include changes to counselling, mental-health support and grievance redressal. Doolla will continue as a professor and head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. Why Was IIT Bombay Professor Doolla Removed as Dean? The decision comes amid protests at the IIT Bombay campus following the death of Sahil Wakode on September 18. Wakode was a second-year BTech student in the Energy Science and Engineering department. Before his death, he had been involved in an examination-related incident. According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination and had used an AI platform to seek answers. Doolla was the course instructor and examination invigilator during the examination. His name was later included in a police complaint filed by Wakode’s family. The allegations made by the family are part of the ongoing investigation. IIT Bombay’s Faculty Forum has also publicly supported Doolla, saying that he was performing his duties as an invigilator and had followed the institute’s established procedure. IIT Bombay Students Submit 18-Point Charter The removal of Doolla from the dean position followed sustained student protests at the Powai campus. On September 20, IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter submitted by the protesting students. The demands cover the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death as well as broader issues related to student welfare and institutional processes. Students have called for an independent investigation, along with interim and final reports within specified timelines. They have also sought an open house with senior institute officials and greater transparency in the handling of the case. The charter includes demands related to grievance redressal, professor conduct, student representation in committees and the institute’s disciplinary process.(READ MORE : IIT Bombay Student Suicide Case: Why Professor Doolla Was Removed and What Students Want) Students Demand Better Mental-Health Support Mental-health support is another major part of the students’ 18-point charter. Students have demanded improved in-person counselling services and better availability of counsellors. They have also sought independent audits of the Student Wellness Centre. The demands include mental-health sensitisation programmes for professors and staff members who regularly interact with students. Students have also called for a 24-hour psychiatrist-on-call facility at the IIT Bombay hospital, along with improvements in emergency and medical support. Another proposal is a permanent task force involving students, faculty members, mental-health professionals and external experts to examine student distress and suggest preventive measures. Investigation Into Sahil Wakode’s Death Continues The circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death remain under investigation. His family has made allegations including harassment and caste-based discrimination. IIT Bombay has denied that Wakode had filed a caste-discrimination complaint with the relevant authorities at the institute. Mumbai Police registered a case based on the family’s complaint, and the investigation was subsequently transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch. IIT Bombay also apologised for an earlier statement about Wakode after students objected to the public disclosure of details related to the examination incident. The institute has maintained that no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against Wakode at the time and that he had been counselled following the examination incident. What Happens Next? The 18-point charter requires IIT Bombay to prepare an implementation plan for the demands. Students have also sought regular updates on the progress of the proposed measures. The IIT Bombay Board of Governors is expected to review the developments, while the investigation into Wakode’s death continues. Doolla’s removal from the dean position is one part of the wider set of changes sought by protesting students. Further developments will depend on the ongoing investigation and the implementation of the remaining demands.
