The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi Faculty Forum has issued a strong statement in support of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla of IIT Bombay, who was recently removed from his position as dean of administrative affairs. This backing comes amidst intense scrutiny and protests following the tragic death of a second-year BTech student, Sahil Wakode, at IIT Bombay.
Student's Death Sparks Controversy and Legal Action
Sahil Wakode, 22, was discovered deceased in his hostel room at IIT Bombay's Powai campus. His death occurred just hours after he was allegedly caught using ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination. Following a complaint from Wakode's family, Mumbai Police filed charges against Professor Doolla under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for alleged abetment to suicide.
IIT-Delhi Forum Supports Professor's Actions
In its statement, the IIT-Delhi Faculty Forum asserted that Professor Doolla was merely fulfilling his duties according to IIT Bombay's institutional guidelines during the examination. The forum condemned what it described as public allegations against Doolla made without credible evidence, expressing solidarity with the professor, his students, and his family. They also voiced concern among faculty members across IITs regarding their ability to conduct evaluations and maintain academic integrity without fear of vilification.
IIT Bombay Faculty Also Rallies Support
Faculty members at IIT Bombay also demonstrated their support for Professor Doolla, holding a campus march. The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum stated that Doolla had adhered to Senate-approved examination procedures when reporting the student for alleged phone use on September 18. They highlighted Doolla's past contributions to student welfare initiatives and expressed distress over what they called false and misleading media reports.
Calls for Fair and Transparent Inquiry
The Faculty Association of IIT Madras has called for a fair, transparent, and time-bound inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Wakode's death. While extending condolences, they reiterated that faculty members are entrusted with upholding examination integrity and should be able to discharge this responsibility in good faith, following established procedures, without fear. The association cautioned against premature conclusions and media trials.
Student representatives at IIT Bombay, while not condoning academic misconduct, have emphasized the need for a fair and impartial investigation. They stated their protests aimed to address systemic issues on campus and called for Doolla's removal from his administrative role during the probe, stressing that Wakode's death should not be politicized by external organizations.