Mumbai: IIT-Bombay has suspended Professor Suryanarayana Doolla from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs amid continuing protests over the death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode.

The decision came after three days of student protests on the Powai campus and the signing of an 18-point charter of demands by IIT-Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare. Doolla’s immediate suspension from the deanship was among the key demands made by protesting students.

The institute has said that any further action against Doolla will be taken after the ongoing investigation. He will continue to serve as a professor and as head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.

Doolla was invigilator during examination

Doolla was the invigilator during the examination Wakode attended shortly before his death on September 18.

According to IIT-Bombay’s earlier account, Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone during the examination and had uploaded the question paper to an AI platform to seek answers. The institute said he was subsequently counselled and that no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against him at that stage.

IIT-Bombay has since apologised for its earlier communication about the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death, saying it was inappropriate to characterise details relating to the events preceding his death before they had been established through an investigation.

Parents allege caste-based harassment

Wakode’s parents have alleged that their son faced harassment and caste-based discrimination. Their complaint led to an FIR naming Doolla and other officials, with police also invoking provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The FIR also includes an allegation of abetment in connection with Wakode’s death. The case was subsequently transferred to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

These allegations have not been established as findings of guilt. The investigation is continuing, while IIT-Bombay has denied allegations of caste discrimination.

Students submit 18-point charter

The suspension of Doolla’s deanship followed a late-night meeting between protesting students and the institute administration on September 20.

Students submitted an 18-point charter seeking action against those they hold responsible, an independent investigation into Wakode’s death and wider reforms to the institute’s academic and student-welfare systems.

The demands also include improvements to grievance redressal mechanisms, stronger mental-health support, changes to disciplinary procedures and greater student participation in institutional processes.

Students have also sought an open house involving senior administrators and other stakeholders to discuss the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death and the implementation of the agreed measures.

IIT-Bombay apologises over earlier statement

The institute has also apologised for its earlier communication about Wakode’s death.

IIT-Bombay said details surrounding the events before his death remain subject to investigation and acknowledged that it was inappropriate to publicly set out or characterise those details before they had been established through the appropriate investigative process.

The clarification came amid criticism from protesting students, who had objected to the institute publicly mentioning the alleged examination malpractice.

The institute has separately clarified that Director Shireesh Kedare has not resigned and will continue in his position. Reports suggesting otherwise were rejected by IIT-Bombay.

Faculty members back Doolla

The administrative action against Doolla has also prompted a response from sections of the IIT-Bombay faculty.

The institute’s Faculty Forum had earlier expressed support for Doolla, saying he had been performing his duties as an invigilator and had followed institutional procedures while reporting the alleged examination malpractice.

Faculty members also staged a protest in support of Doolla after his deanship was suspended. He continues to hold his faculty position and remains head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.

Investigation will determine next steps

The suspension of Doolla from the deanship is an administrative action and does not establish responsibility for Wakode’s death.

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is investigating the case, including allegations made by Wakode’s family. The institute has said any further action against Doolla will follow the investigation.

Meanwhile, students continue to seek an independent inquiry and changes to IIT-Bombay’s systems for academic discipline, grievance redressal and student welfare.

The case remains under investigation, and the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death have not been conclusively established.