Professor Suryanarayana Doolla of IIT Bombay has come under scrutiny following the death of 20-year-old student Sahil Wakode on September 18, 2026. Doolla has been associated with IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering for more than a decade and has worked across teaching, research and administrative roles. His academic interests include power systems, smart grids, microgrids, renewable-energy integration and energy efficiency.
The Suryanarayana Doolla Sahil Wakode case came into focus after details emerged about a mid-semester examination involving Wakode. According to IIT Bombay, the student was allegedly found using a mobile phone during the exam and had uploaded the question paper to an AI platform seeking answers. Doolla was the course instructor and examination invigilator and was involved in reporting the alleged examination malpractice to institute authorities.
Sahil Wakode IIT Bombay death raises questions over exam incident
IIT Bombay has said Wakode was subsequently counselled by the instructor and the Head of Department. According to the institute, he was assured that the examination incident would not adversely affect his academic career, and no disciplinary action had been initiated against him before his death.
The case took a more serious turn after Wakode’s family alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination. Based on the family’s complaint, Mumbai Police registered a case invoking provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, with Doolla among those named in the complaint. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been established as findings of fact.
Wakode’s death also led to protests on the IIT Bombay campus. Students demanded action and raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the case, increasing pressure on the institute to respond to a wider set of student demands.
IIT Bombay professor suspension follows campus protests
On September 20, IIT Bombay Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare met protesting students and signed an 18-point charter of demands. The demands included action against Doolla. He was suspended by IIT Bombay later that evening as protests over Wakode’s death continued.
The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum, however, has publicly supported Doolla’s handling of the examination episode. The forum said he was carrying out his responsibilities as an invigilator and had followed the institute’s prescribed procedure after detecting the alleged examination malpractice.
Doolla’s academic and administrative career at IIT Bombay extends beyond classroom teaching. He has served as Warden of Hostel 6 and later as Dean of Student Affairs. He has also been associated with examinations including JEE Advanced, UCEED and CEED. His academic recognitions include teaching awards, while his research has focused on areas such as smart-grid technology, microgrids, distributed energy resources and power-system control.
As of September 21, 2026, Doolla remains suspended from IIT Bombay while the controversy continues. His suspension is an institutional action and is separate from any determination of criminal liability. The police investigation into Wakode’s death and the allegations raised by his family remains ongoing.
