IIT Bombay Suicide: Professor was only discharging his duties, says IIT Delhi faculty forum

NEW DELHI: Faculty members at IIT-Delhi on Monday came out in support of IIT-Bombay professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been removed as the dean of administrative affairs after protests by students and political activists over the suicide of a 22-year-old student, saying he was only discharging his duties.

Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering from Maharashtra's Yavatmal district, was found hanging in his hostel room on the Powai campus on Friday evening, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination.

Mumbai Police has booked Doolla under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 (abetment to suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following a complaint lodged by Sahil's family.

Also read ‘Not individual failure’: IIT Bombay students protest suicide, want director to quit, action against professor

Professor discharging duties at IIT Bombay

"Professor Doolla was simply discharging his duties at IIT-Bombay during an examination as per the institute's guidelines. It was noted that various allegations against him have been levelled in public without presenting any credible evidence. The forum expresses solidarity with Prof Doolla, his students, and the family, and condemns the tarnishing of his reputation," the IIT-Delhi Faculty Forum said in a statement.

"There is an apprehension among faculty members regarding the conduct of evaluations and maintaining academic integrity due to the circumstances that prevailed at IIT-Bombay. IIT-Delhi Faculty Forum appeals to the student community, their families, and the entire nation to extend their support so that the faculty can discharge its duties in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the entire IIT system," it said.

On Monday evening, the faculty members at IIT-Bombay held a march on the campus in support of Doolla. The IIT-Bombay Faculty Forum said that Doolla followed "Senate-approved exam procedure" when he reported the student for alleged phone use on September 18. Defending Doolla, the forum issued a statement noting his key role in launching several student welfare initiatives during his tenure as dean of student affairs. "We are distressed by the vilification of our colleague's reputation through false and misleading media reports," the forum said in the statement.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.