Teachers from 3 IITs come out in support of IIT Bombay Professor Suryanarayan Dula

September 22, 2026

New Delhi/Mumbai: Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding IIT Bombay Professor Suryanarayan Dula, several faculty members from IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras have spoken out in his support. This incident came to light following the death of 20-year-old B.Tech student Sahil Wakode.

Protests have erupted on the IIT Bombay campus over the student’s death. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

IIT Bombay Faculty Marches Out

Members of the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum held a march on campus in support of Professor Dula. The Forum stated that Dula was performing his assigned duties during the examination.

According to the Faculty Forum, Dula acted within the institute’s examination rules after receiving information about alleged unauthorized use of a mobile phone during the examination on September 18th.

The Forum also expressed grief over the death of student Sahil Wakode and offered condolences to his family.

IIT Delhi Faculty Also Expresses Support

The IIT Delhi Faculty Forum also issued a statement in support of Professor Dula. The Forum stated that he was “simply performing his duty” during the exam.

The Forum called for the matter to be handled according to institutional rules and procedures. It also expressed condolences to the student’s family and the IIT Bombay community.

IIT Madras Faculty Expresses Solidarity

The IIT Madras Faculty Association also expressed solidarity with Dula. The association described the student’s death as a tragedy for the entire academic community and expressed condolences to Sahil Wakode’s family, friends, and classmates.

The association stressed the need to prioritize student welfare and conduct an impartial investigation into the matter.

Dula Removed from Dean’s Post

Amid controversy and protests on campus, IIT Bombay removed Professor Dula from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs. According to the institute, this decision was taken while the matter is under investigation.

However, Dula works as a faculty member in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay.

FIR based on complaint from student’s family

The Mumbai Police have registered an FIR following a complaint from Sahil Wakode’s family. The complaint alleges caste discrimination and abetment to suicide.

Wakode was a second-year B.Tech student. On September 18th, an incident of alleged mobile phone use during an exam was reported. Professor Dula was the invigilator.

The investigation into the allegations made by the student’s family is ongoing, and a final conclusion has not yet been released.

Opinions within the Faculty on the Case

While some faculty organizations have supported Professor Dula, some IIT Bombay faculty have questioned his public stance before the investigation is complete.

The investigation into Sahil Wakode’s death and the allegations surrounding it is currently ongoing.